Governors of the South-East geo-political zone on Friday night announced the proscription of activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), asking its members and all aggrieved groups in the zone to articulate their positions on all national issues and submit to them.

They also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw military presence in the zone, assuring that they have taken concrete steps to protect lives and property of non indigenes and indigenes in the zone.

Rising from their emergency meeting in Enugu attended by leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, General Officer, Commanding the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, National Assembly members, the governors resolved to ensure no activity of IPOB exists any longer in their various states.

Although the IPOB was invited to the meeting but did not come, Chairman of the governor’s forum and Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi said that they sent their apologies

Other resolutions of the meeting according to Umahi are: “Southeast governors forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.

“We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all National issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian

“We reiterate our earlier position that the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra State must hold.

“Accordingly, we appeal to President and Commander in chief of armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to please withdraw the military in the southeast zone, while police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.

“We are in touch with the Northern governor’s forum and they have assured us of safety of all our people living in the north and we have also planned for exchange of visits between the governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect.

“In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings maiming and other unlawful conduct in the southeast zone with this period. The governors and the security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable.

“We advise all residents of the southeast to go about their normal businesses as government of each state is committed to protecting everybody. We advise our people in the southeast to please be law abiding.”

All the governors excerpt Rochas Okorocha (Imo) – who was represented by his Deputy, Eze Madumere – attended the meeting.

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