By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, has condemned the Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, for vilifying southern governors over their call for restructuring.

Amechi, who spoke Wednesday at a press conference in his country home, Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, called on the southern governors not to allow anybody to divide them.

He insisted that if there was security crisis in Southern Nigeria, they are caused by the Fulani adventurers from the North.

While noting that the southern governors have resolved to contain them, Amechi said; “Are there more crises in the South than the North where whole villages are wiped and buildings burnt, where hundreds of young men and women are kidnapped and killed, where Boko Haram has expanded as far down as Niger, Katsina and Zamfara states?

“The people of Southern Nigeria and Benue State must rise to save and defend their parts of Nigeria from the fantasy and wild daydream of colonization, Islamisation and Fulanisation.”

The elder statesmen used the occasion to dispel the allegations that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and some organisations and persons are planning to burn or do damage to some places or properties in Lagos.

He described the rumour as cheap and blatant falsehood, which some ignoramuses are spreading in the social media.

Amechi said that the Igbo and Yoruba have a filial bond and as such cannot attack each other.

The 92 years old statesman added: “The allegation is malice propaganda. No sane Igbo man would ever think of attacking Lagos because of the filial bond shared by the Igbos and the Yorubas.

“The relationship between the South-East and South-West is filial and bonding. Those behind the propaganda were only trying to cause division.

“In 1966, the late Western Region Governor, Col Adekunle Fajuyi, sacrificed his life for the sake of then Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi. There is also the intervention of the then Eastern Region Premier, Dr. Michael Okpara, during the travail of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo while in Calabar Prison.

“This is a cheap and idiotic falsehood. Igbo properties in Lagos are so many, so scattered and so high in value for any Igbo group or organisation to think of destroying.”