Simon Ekpa Exploiting Southeast Governors' Weakness: Ohanaeze Warns of 30-Day Lockdown Threat

 

On Sunday, Ohanaeze's factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated that Simon Ekpa, the self-declared Prime Minister of Biafra, was issuing unfounded threats by taking advantage of the governors of Southeast states' vulnerability.

In response to Ekpa's vow to impose a lockdown on the Southeast from August 28 to September 26, 2024, Isiguzoro took action.

A 30-day lockdown of the Southeast has been warned by Ekpa due to the insecurity of the area and Nnamdi Kanu's continued arrest as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.



He asserted that his Biafra Government in Exile, or BRGIE, cabinet had decided on the move virtually and that the lockdown would impact all Nigerian government offices in the South-East states of Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra.

In response, Isiguzoro stated that a joint visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promote Kanu's release ought to have been made possible by the Southeast governors' recent meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Isiguzoro demanded that the Southeast governors immediately reevaluate their approaches to dealing with the issues facing the area.

Isiguzoro signed a statement that stated: "There is a noticeable dissatisfaction among Nigerians, especially the Igbo people, over the recent actions—or rather, inaction—of the Southeast Governors in claiming their right as the heads of state security.

"Due to their inadequate reactions to urgent security issues, minor players, like Simon Ekpa, have been able to take advantage of their weakness and threaten to undermine regional peace and economic activity by announcing an illegal lockdown from August 28 to September 26, 2024.

The deplorable actions of people like Simon Ekpa, who conducts his questionable activities from abroad while undermining our collective dignity, have turned a once-respected region—known for its notable leaders, including the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Francis Akanu-Ibiam, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dimm Odumegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, and Chief Sam Mbakwe—into a target of mockery and derision.

Rather than depending exclusively on failed conventional ways, they must prioritize finding solutions anchored in indigenous traditions and utilizing the distinct cultural dynamics of the Igbo people. We beg our governors to act swiftly to involve the federal government in the pressing situation involving Nnamdi Kanu."

Ohanaeze, according to Isiguzoro, is unwavering in its quest to discover real solutions to the Southeast's escalating insecurity.

In addition to putting our communities in risk, the lack of action in calling for Kanu's release has allowed criminals disguising themselves as Biafran agitators to flourish under the cover of activism. We hold the governors responsible for upholding their constitutional obligations to safeguard the Igbo people's lives and property.

Therefore, we are sending out a clear message to the governors of the Southeast: it's time to take back control of the region and free it from the grasp of the criminal element. If they fail to fulfill these obligations, the consequences will be severe. Every Igbo person is urged by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to disregard Simon Ekpa's nonexistent lockdown, and we will no longer put up with choices that jeopardize our way of life that are made in absentia.

In addition, Isiguzoro urged caution as elementary and secondary schools get ready to resume.

Our communities must continue to be watchful and resilient in the face of these challenges. He continued, "Ohanaeze Ndigbo is steadfast in opposing the illegal lockdown and will keep fighting for the safety and well-being of the Igbo people.