Ebonyi “unruffled” by IPOB, as group brands Gov Umahi a “rascal”

Ebonyi State government says it is regrettable that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) failed to get its facts right before attacking Governor David Umahi.

IPOB had dubbed Governor Umahi a rascal for allegedly unleashing “miscreants” to attack traders at Abakaliki Central Market.

The pro-Biafra group alleged that the attack on the traders was necessitated by the rousing welcome they gave to IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, during his recent visit to the state.

“The (Ebonyi) governor exhibited the highest level of rascality by instructing his henchmen, mostly miscreants to attack the innocent traders who turned out enmass to welcome their leader in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

“We also want to tell him that should he wish to continue serving his Northern political masters, he should relocate to Sokoto because Ebonyi State is one of the strongest states in Biafran land, where the citizens are seriously determined to restore Biafra …” a statement by IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, had read in part.

In its reaction, Ebonyi State government expressed worries over IPOB’s level of hypocrisy. It said that it was “unfortunate that those responsible for the dissemination of information in IPOB could not do the needful of carefully investigating any information fed them by some interested groups including opposition political party in the state.”

It said IPOB’s attack on Umahi was not only embarrassing but also self-serving and maintained that Ebonyi government had never vilified anybody or trader on issues of the agitators.

This was stated by Umahi’s Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, in a statement he released in response to IPOB attack on the governor.

“As a matter of fact, Governor David Umahi who was not and is still not in the country at the time of the visit of the IPOB leader could not have attacked any trader over the so called visit.”

Read also : Osinbajo’s ‘extra judicial’ comments on Biafra, proof that Kanu’s trial political – IPOB

“Therefore, it has come to our notice that some self serving politicians operating under various platforms have hijacked the agitation of IPOB in the state and have resorted to blackmail and unnecessary attacks on the state government,” he said.

He added, “While the state government is not against any group geneuingly agitaitating for whatever right they beleieve in, there is need for any agitation to conform with the principle of rule of law to the extent of guranteeing maitanance of law and order.

“Let it be known that there was no attack on any part of the state on any trader as the state government is currently opening up the markets for optimum commercial activities by providing them with necessary amenities to ease business activities.

“Ebonyi State government therefore calls on peddlers of this rumours to look beyond political interests and focus on whatever interest that fuels their agitations as the governor is niether disturbed by the presence of the Biafran groups nor ruffled by their activities but is rather concerned about the welfare and security of Ebonyians.”

 

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