Exercise Egwu Eke II (Operation Python Dance II) announced on Saturday by Nigerian Army Chief of Training and Operations, Major General DD Ahmadu, on behalf of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. TY Buratai, has been described as a military invasion capable of resulting in the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Joining in condemnation of the exercise, frontline Igbo group Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) described Operation Python Dance II as a flagrant abuse of the Nigerian Constitution.

“This is Military Invasion and Occupation of Alaigbo, nay, Declaration of War against peaceful citizens of Alaigbo! The duty of the military is to protect the country from external aggression. Maintenance of Internal Security belongs to the Police,” ADF said in a statement signed by Prof T. Uzodinma Nwala (President); Prof. Nath Aniekwu (Secretary); and Dr Dozie Ikedife (Chairman, Board of Trustees).

The group pointed out as follows: “The responsibility of internal security is that of the Police and non-military agencies. The President’s powers to deploy the Nigerian Armed Forces are provided for in Sections 217 and 218 of the Constitution.”

ADF noted that the circumstances and conditions under which the Nigerian Armed Forces can be deployed are as follows:

1. For the defense of Nigeria from external aggression,

2. For the maintenance of the territorial integrity of and securing the borders of Nigeria from violation on land, sea and air.

3. For suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Continuing, ADF said: “It is, therefore, clear that the planned invasion and occupation of the South-East, the heartland of Alaigbo is a flagrant breach of the Constitution and as such an impeachable offence.

“With the hate songs against the Igbo that have flooded the airwaves in Arewa North and the hanging Quit Notice on the Igbo from the North, ADF sees this military invasion as a coordinated and deliberate action to proactively cripple any opposition and cow and emasculate the Igbo heartland as a complement to the planned annihilation of Igbos in the North by the Arewa Youths during the same period.

“With the burden of history, especially the events of 1966-7, and under the menacing present ominous circumstances, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), as a Corporate body of patriotic citizens , shall:

“Challenge the planned military invasion and occupation of Alaigbo in the Court of law and seek declarations, by the courts, that the action of Mr. President is an infringement on the Constitution, as amended.

“Since the planned invasion clearly infringes on the powers of the National Assembly, ADF shall call on the National Assembly to stand up and defend her Constitutional authority and integrity. And if the invasion and occupation proceeds as planned, the National Assembly shall be called upon to commence impeachment proceedings against Mr. President.

“Call on civil societies, women and youth in Alaigbo to engage in civil and peaceful demonstrations throughout Alaigbo in protest against the invasion.

“Call on various Igbo groups, the traditional institution, the church and other elders of Igboland, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to raise their voices against the invasion of Alaigbo.

“Send further protest representations to the International Community on the latest attack and occupation of Alaigbo.

“Call on other patriotic and well-meaning citizens and nationalities in Nigeria to come to the aid of the Igbo nation at this time of another planned pogrom against Ndigbo. What else can we call this except FASCISM enveloping the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The elders of Alaigbo and all patriotic Pan-Igbo organisations should liaise with the Governors in Alaigbo in spearheading an Emergency Political Conference of Ndigbo to holistically address the future of Alaigbo and deliberate on the continued threat and assault on our fundamental rights of self-determination and peaceful existence as a freedom-loving people

“Meanwhile, all Igbo groups worldwide should device means of continuing to inform the International Community about what is happening to their people at home and thereby seek their sympathy and intervention, where necessary and possible, to help save Ndigbo against another looming genocide in Nigeria.”

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