The Chairman of the South-east Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has said the forum decided to proscribe the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to stop the rising tension in the zone.

Mr. Umahi, who briefed journalists in his office in Abakaliki said the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was gradually losing control of the situation and his members prompting the governors to wade in to prevent further bloodshed.

He said the proscription had achieved the desired result.

He said IPOB has lost its original ideal by causing unnecessary tension and killings in the South-east which he said has affected investment drive in the region.

The governor also said that based on the evidence before him, the military did not attack IPOB members on Sunday as claimed by Mr. Kanu and that it was the IPOB members who threw bottles and stones at the military officers who were passing by.

“When you put a small fire, it can go very far and become difficult to control,” Mr. Umahi said.

“The IPOB activities were gradually getting out of the control of Nnamdi Kanu. Soldiers were passing on the way when IPOB members started throwing stones and other objects on them and it sparked off the clash between the group and the military.

“It is a shame that when this thing happened, a man called Charles Ogbu had to send phone numbers of all South-east governors, the Senate President and others and all our people could do was to be calling us to insult us. These are people who never experienced any war in their lives.”

He said the lives of northerners and all non-indigenes in the state and zone must be guaranteed at all times, warning that security agencies have been directed to deal decisively with anyone that tries to cause a breach of the peace.

“Our focus is how to save lives of every Nigerian and we believe in a united Nigeria. Lives of people are involved and we must not play politics with that,” he said.

“Anybody that wants to foment trouble must be crushed and I want security agencies to beef up security around all the non-indigenes in the state and to report to me any problem because we must maintain the peace.”

The governor called on youth to stop insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of the country as according to him, this was bad.

He also noted that the northern governors will soon visit the South-east, a visit which will also be reciprocated by the South-east governors to the North as a means of fostering unity in the country.

He said majority of the Igbos do not want secession from Nigeria but to be treated fairly and justly in the country.

“That is why we are all talking about restructuring, there is no part of this country that is not feeling marginalised somehow and that is why all the zones are setting up committees on restructuring,” the governor said.

Mr. Umahi, however, noted that injustice or marginalisation should not be a reason to talk about secession maintaining that dialogue should be the best way to resolve and redress all differences.

On operation Egwu Eke II (Python dance II), the governor said the exercise was never targeted at IPOB but intended to curb rising incidents of crime especially kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

He noted that no one including the military expected that there will be violence as the Egwu Eke II that was staged last year was largely successful.

Heads of security agencies in the state and some principal officers of the state government attended the briefing.

The South-east Governors Forum rose from its meeting on Friday to announce the proscription of IPOB in all the five states of the zone.

They also appealed to President Muhammad Buhari to withdraw soldiers from the zone while the police carry out their constitutional duty of securing lives and property.

The meeting was also attended by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) while Rochas Okorocha of Imo was represented by his deputy.

Also in attendance were the Ohanaeze leadership led by Chigozie Ogbu, former deputy governor of Ebonyi State, who represented John Nwodo, the President General of the socio-cultural organisation.

The National Assembly members led by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and the GOC 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Adamu Abubakar, were also in attendance.

Clashes between IPOB members and the security officials have led to several injuries in Abia with a police station also burnt.

IPOB wants an independent country of Biafra and says it is a non-violent organisation, although its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, recently said the group may reconsider its non-violence stance.

Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/243431-proscribed-ipob-south-east-governors.html

Front Page: lalasticlala mynd44

Dave Umahi, how many times have you given a press conference to condemn the wanton destruction of farmlands, raping of women and exploitation of Ebonyians and igbos by the herders and security operatives, save your voice, stop making a mockery of your fast diminishing reputation of siding with the hostile neighbour to torment your children and brothers.

It's a shame that there are no more men in the east, the people we charged with protecting our lives are now singing the same song as the oppressors.

One day, you will look back and see that the whole of the people you claim to lead have been destroyed by their oppressors, and you will then be left alone in their "care"

Man these governors totally threw Mr. Kanu under the bus. This is hilarious seeing how they distanced themselves from IPOB. The quotes are too much.

He said majority of the Igbos do not want secession from Nigeria but to be treated fairly and justly in the country.

The governor also said that based on the evidence before him, the military did not attack IPOB members on Sunday as claimed by Mr. Kanu

IPOB has lost its original ideal by causing unnecessary tension and killings in the South-east which he said has affected investment drive in the region.

kanu should not be allow to leave this country until he pays dearly for his sins

Because of your cowardice.Why these good for nothing governors never proactive or pressurized the equally useless FG to do same to the marauding/killer Fulanis still left a lot to be desired.

All we want is for the army to kill Nnamdi Kanu and his useless family and followers. Their treasonous actions can make the Rwandan genocide a child's play when the north decides to retaliate. I lost a patriotic igbo friend named Uche when he visited the south east and was killed by IPOB youths for condemning biafra. Rest in peace Uche. Biafra will never come. One Nigeria we shall remain

boman2014:
kanu should not be allow to leave this country until he pays dearly for his sins

You know they took his passports. He can't leave the country Legally.

The only interest I have about this news is to hear that kanu has been shot dead or sentence to life imprisonment.

It is unfortunate that Africans do not think like Europeans or Asians hence the marked backwardness of continent of Africa. If this carp would have happened in Europe or America, everybody involved in this idiotic act should be a target.

The IPOB had it coming. They felt too superior; too power druken. They ate all of Kanu's words. They were gettin too arrogant; feeling untouchable. Now they what it is to have true power. They know what a proper military outfit is. They have seen that all their pompous actions are nothing and that they have eaten more than they can chew. I just wish for no more bloodshed and less violence. The igbos are not naturally known for violence but these few rotten eggs have tarnished their reputation. There is no way to acheive secession by chest beating; if you want to leave do it properly. It takes years to get these things right; to sell out your idea or belief; to knock on the right doors. You don't just wake up and get it once. There are agitations all over the world but you need to follow a template. Many have been struggling for decades ; struggling in a democratic manner and not this. The Igbos have let themselves down.

Mtcheeew. The northerners should retaliate. Stop disturbing us. Nobody is afraid of their retaliation. People have been killed over cartoon drawn in Denmark, people have been killed over hosting of beauty pageant, people have been killed over election loss, people have even been killed in their farms. So What is the big deal.
Wanting Kanu killed as well as his family and followers because of their views makes me wonder your mental state.you also called them useless,over what? Am sure it's because they view the world differently from you.

MediumStout:
All we want is for the army to kill Nnamdi Kanu and his useless family and followers. Their treasonous actions can make the Rwandan genocide a child's play when the north decides to retaliate. I lost a patriotic igbo friend named Uche when he visited the south east and was killed by IPOB youths for condemning biafra. Rest in peace Uche. Biafra will never come. One Nigeria we shall remain

IPOB must be crushed
IPOB is following the same process many dangerous extremist group underwent before they morphed to what they're today.
The governors actually came too late, but it's better than never. IPOB is not a peaceful group. I have met many of them.
Their claim of non violence deceived no one, they're an agent of destabilization and must be approximately dealt with