Simon Ekpa Exploiting Weakness of Southeast Governors with 30-Day Lockdown Threat: Ohanaeze
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, has accused Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of Biafra, of taking advantage of the perceived weakness of Southeast governors to make unfounded threats.
This statement comes in response to Ekpa’s announcement of a proposed 30-day lockdown in the Southeast from August 28 to September 26, 2024. Ekpa’s threat is linked to ongoing insecurity in the region and the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He claims that his Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE) has mandated this lockdown, which would affect all Nigerian government offices in the five Southeast states: Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra.
Isiguzoro criticized the recent meeting between the Southeast governors and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, suggesting it should have led to a joint effort to persuade President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure Kanu’s release. He called for a reassessment of the governors’ strategies in dealing with regional issues.
In a signed statement, Isiguzoro expressed frustration with the governors’ perceived inaction and their failure to effectively address security concerns. This inaction, he argued, has allowed figures like Ekpa to make empty threats that undermine regional stability and economic activities.
Isiguzoro lamented that the current situation tarnishes the legacy of respected past leaders from the region, such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and others. He urged the governors to adopt solutions that leverage the region’s cultural strengths and to engage more effectively with the Federal Government regarding Kanu’s situation.
He emphasized that Ohanaeze is dedicated to finding genuine solutions to the region’s security problems and criticized the governors for not fulfilling their constitutional duty to protect lives and property. Isiguzoro warned that failure to address these issues could have severe consequences and urged all Igbo people to ignore Ekpa’s proposed lockdown.
He also called for heightened vigilance as schools prepare to reopen, reinforcing Ohanaeze’s commitment to opposing the proposed lockdown and advocating for the well-being of the Igbo community.
