IPOB: We are one family, northern govs say as they visit Rivers, Abia

As part of continuing efforts to dialogue in light of the current ethnic tension in the country, a delegation of governors from the Northern Governors Forum Monday visited Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, and Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State Governor, to restate their commitment to ensuring the safety of Southerners resident in the northern part of the country.

The delegation was led by the chairman of the forum, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, and had as members, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri, Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

Recall that Tambuwal had disclosed earlier on Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari was sending a delegation of some northern governors to the Southeast and South-South regions of the country.

In Rivers State, the governors stated that no law-abiding Nigerian deserved to be attacked anywhere they chose to reside or do business, while calling for dedicated effort towards fostering peace in the country given the current tension.

Read also: Gov Tambuwal reveals why Buhari is sending Atiku, northern govs to S’East, N’Delta

Commenting on the reported violence in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state, Shettima commended Wike for his handling of the situation, highlighting his timely state-wide broadcast as an important move that helped restore peace.

“Governor Wike, we are mightily proud of you. We are mightily associating ourselves with you. Nigeria is greater than political differences. We belong to one political family and that is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“No interest should be bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You believe in the Nigerian Project. For that, we remain eternally grateful. In spite of what has happened, in Abia State, steps have been put in place to ensure there is no retaliatory attack in any part of the country,” Shettima stated.

Responding, Wike promised that he was committed to protecting all Nigerians and foreigners living in the state.

He said, “Rivers State believes in the unity of this country. Rivers State will not be a part of those calling for the disintegration of Nigeria. We owe it as a duty to protect every Nigerian living in the state.

“I will not allow any group intimidate, harass or attack other Nigerians living in the state. We are Rivers people and we belong to the Niger Delta”.

Emphasizing that violence was never the best way to address grievances, Wike urged all aggrieved persons to embrace dialogue in the interest of peace and development.

He said, “I am not against anyone who wants to protest any grievance, but there are channels for such protests”.

Following this meeting, the governors proceeded to Abia Sate where they received by the governor.

The northern governors were expected to send a strong message of peace and unity in Abia, which was the centre of the clash between the army and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

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