Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has been blamed for the May 30, 2016 tragedy in Nkpor, Idemili Local Government Area of the state, where members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were massacred during the 49^th anniversary celebration of the declaration of Biafra.

An All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Zeribe Ezeanuna, heaped the blame on the Governor at Nkpor Town Hall during Obiano’s recent visit to commiserate with the people of the community on the tragedy. Chief Ezeanuna regretted the bloody clash and accused the Governor of not giving adequate protection to the pro-Biafra protesters, whom he said were on a peaceful protest against the marginalisation of Igbos in all spheres of life.

He observed that the issue was not only about Biafra but the marginalisation of the Igbo people, adding that there was need to give them education, employment, good roads and other infrastructure so as to give them a sense of belonging in the country.

“These are what we have been clamoring for and it is unfortunate that the Governor cannot defend his people. There is nowhere in the world where you have civil war and you don’t have people remembering the war,” Ezeanuna said.

Addressing the meeting, Governor Obiano called for calm, promising to offset the hospital bills of the injured who are still in hospitals.

While urging the people to always ward off undesirable elements who come into the community to tarnish their image, the Governor said that a list of the injured has been compiled in the different hospitals where they are hospitalised. In his words, “I came to sympathise with you for what happened. Before I came in as the Governor people did not sleep but now we sleep. Don’t allow strangers to disturb Nkpor.”

Obiano recalled that he used diplomacy to evacuate Boko Haram suspects brought into Ekwulobia Prisons and also gave befitting burial to Biafra war heroes.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.

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