By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has advised against the threat by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to lock down South-East every Monday.

Okechukwu gave the advice in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Enugu concerning the proposed lockdown move within the South-East as well as Delta and Rivers states.

News Expressreports recalled that IPOB had issued a statement on Friday through its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, that the every Monday lockdown is tagged “Ghost Monday”.

The IPOB’s statement said that the “Ghost Monday”, which would affect all economic activities including schools and marketplaces, would continue every Monday until its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is released.

According to Okechukwu, don’t cut off Ndigbo’s nose to spite Buhari’s face, for Buhari is compensating with infrastructure development within the zone.

The VON boss said: “Let me for the umpteenth time appeal to my brothers in IPOB to sheath their sword, for to lockdown the South-East is simply waging atrocious war against Ndigbo.

“For our elders admonish us that, ‘don’t cut off your nose to spite your face’.

“I sincerely share IPOB grieve over Ndigbo marginalisation, especially in appointments, it is a big challenge, but I sincerely differ with their strategy.

“Appointments for me are transient and what we got in infrastructure development compensates, as infrastructure is more enduring than appointments.

“I have gone round our dear country and could finger palpable hunger, insecurity, anguish and despondency in the land; therefore for anybody to think anguish is limited to Ndigbo is a farce and blatant lie.

“Truth is bitter, but I owe my brothers the truth.

“Accordingly, it will be very big error for IPOB to lockdown the South-East and think they are tough, strategic and will achieve any meaningful result, capital NO.

“IPOB should not cut off Ndigbo’s nose to spite Buhari’s face, for Buhari is compensating with infrastructure.

“Appointments are transient, and infrastructure is permanent. The Standard Gauge Railroads which will soon cover the entire South-East will demonstrate the efficacy of infrastructure. IPOB hold on please.”

On IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Okechukwu said that he was in league with Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership that the rule of law should prevail.

“Hence IPOB should be aware that to lockdown South-East is nothing but to punish Ndigbo; to degrade against Ndigbo, South-East economy, to starve Ndigbo and akin to the obnoxious civil war doctrine of hunger as the best weapon.

“My brothers of IPOB clan, put on your thinking cap and be pragmatic, introspect and remember our brothers and sisters who are living in all the towns and villages nationwide, doing well and investing happily and prospering with other ethnic nationalities,” he advised.