Biafra: Why we Proscribed IPOB -- South-East Governors

South-East governors, yesterday, justified the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), saying the action was to douse tension and end loss of lives in the region.

South-East govs currently emergency meeting with army over IPOB, Op Python Dance

The Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Governor David Umahi, said the proscription had achieved its desired result.

Umahi, who addressed journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, with some security chiefs in attendance, claimed IPoB had lost its mandate by causing tension and killings in the South-East.

The group fought back, last night, condemning its proscription. It described itself as a peaceful organisation.

Meanwhile, the foremost Igbo body, Ohanaze, rose yesterday, from its meeting, insisting that IPOB is not a terrorist organisation.

The governor spoke on a day four persons were said to have been killed after assailants suspected to be IPoB members attacked a settlement in Asaba, Delta State capital.

In Sokoto, miscreants attacked traders, mostly Igbo, along Old Market Road, Ahmadu Bello Way and Emir Yahaya, forcing them to close shop.

Solders were immediately deployed to stop the attack.

Tension had risen sharply in the South-East after soldiers on Operation Python Dance II clashed with members of IPoB in Umuahia, Abia State capital, last Sunday.

There have been conflicting accounts of the showdown in which several people were said to have been injured.

The incident caused Abia State government to imposed curfew in the state while the Igbo influential group, Ohanaeze, called for the withdrawal of the Operation Python Dance II from the South-East.

Umuahia is the home town of the IPoB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is on trial for leading the secessionist bid for Biafra.

On Friday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo asked President Muhammadu Buhari to meet Kanu to resolve the crisis while former President Goodluck Jonathan called for a Council of State meeting to discuss the South-East development.

Presidency replies Obasanjo, Jonathan:

The Presidency, yesterday, said the advice from Obasanjo and Jonathan was just the opinion of the two former leaders.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said, as former Presidents, they had the right to their opinions.

He told Sunday Vanguard on phone, “It is just an opinion. They have the right to their opinion. They are former Presidents, it is their opinion.”

Umahi, the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, during his press conference, yesterday, said IPoB activities in Abia had gone out of control of Kanu.