Why S’East govs want Ndigbo in North to stay and not panic, despite quit notice, hate song

Amidst heightened tension in North as the October 1 quit notice to Ndigbo draws closer and as song calling for Igbo genocide circulate in the region, governors of the South East have asked their people in the North region not to be afraid.

The South East Governors Forum said that they are monitoring situation of things in the North along with Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

They said they have received assurances from northern governors, who promised them of the safety of Igbo people in northern region.

The governors stated this during a meeting of the forum in Enugu on Monday, where they also discussed issues of power, and economic integration, among others.

The position of the forum is contained in a communiqué released after the meeting and read by the forum’s chairman, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo briefed us and of course we have been in touch with the federal government; we have also been in constant touch with our colleagues in the North, and Ohanaeze has been in touch with our people in Northern Nigeria.

“We want to ensure our people in northern Nigeria that we are in constant touch with the northern governors forum and we commend them for their position to make sure that the lives and property of our people are fully secured.

“We will continue to monitor the development to make sure that no Igbo man living anywhere in this country is living in fear, or is disadvantaged, or the life threatened, he stated.
Among other things, he also stated that “The Geometric Power Company made a presentation to us about the establishment of independent gas plant and we commend them very highly for a very beautiful project and we have adopted that power plant as a model for regional integration. We throw our weight behind the success of the project.

“In the same vein, we commend Shell and our partners in the gas project in Asa.

“We the governors in the South-East propose to build five mega industrial clusters, one in each state and we have signified interest to benefit from the Asa gas project and we have set up a committee to liaise with all stakeholders in this respect.

“We have also as a people and governors of the south east thrown our weight behind the November guber election in Anambra state. We appeal to all stakeholders and our people to ensure that we have a very peaceful election in Anambra state.

“We have also taken notice of a number of gas clusters in South east, and the south governors have directed the economic team and the secretariat to get the list and names of people in charge of the gas blocks so that we can discuss with them towards developing it and ensuring that we partner with them for the benefit of our people”.

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State governors at the meeting included Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Rochas Okorocha, Imo; and the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

Also at the meeting was president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

The governors call on Ndigbo in the North is coming even as the northern youths has maintained their ground on the October 1 vacation order, and as a song calling for genocide against Igbo people is now in circulation in the North and on social media.

 

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