The South-East Governors Forum, at a meeting in Enugu on Friday, proscribed the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the five states in the zone.
Present at the meeting were Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Dave Umahi, Ebonyi; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, and Willie Obiano, Anambra.
Imo State was represented by Deputy Governor Eze Madumere.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, also had the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, Gen. Adamu Abubakar, in attendance.
Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Umahi, who addressed journalists after the meeting, which held at Enugu State Government House, explained that the leadership of IPOB “sent their apologies” for their absence at the parley.
Reading a communiqué after the meeting, Umahi said, “All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from South-East Zone, through the Chairman, South-East Governors Forum.
“All governors of South-east Zone are to ensure compliance in their respective states.
“South-East Governors Forum and Ohanaeze Ndigbo do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
“We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.”
They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the military in the zone, while police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.
While assuring that they have taken concrete steps to protect lives and properties of indigenes and non-indigenes in the zone, the governors said they have received assurances from the Northern Governors on “the safety of all our people living in the north”.
