South-east Governors Task Security Agencies to Unravel the Murder of Gulak

*Ikpeazu: People Stayed Home Not Because they Believe in IPOB

By Nseobong Okon-Ekong

While residents of the five South-east states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo observed a forced sit-at-home order issued by the proscribed separatists group, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday, their governors used the opportunity to hold a virtual zoom meeting
to review the security situation in the zone, during which they condemned in strong terms the killing of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ahmed Gulak in Owerri, Imo State, while stating their resolve to stand by their colleague, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the security agencies in their effort to unravel the masterminds of the heartless killing..

Some of the decisions arrived at the meeting were made public in communique signed by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State who doubles as Chairman of South-east Governors Forum includes a commendation to the, “Governors from the North for their understanding in the face of this unfortunate murder of their son,” while also commiserating with the immediate family of Gulak, the government and people of Adamawa State.

The South-east governors which include Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for timely directing the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators as this will further strengthen the bonds of unity and trust “with our Northern brothers and sisters.”

While the Spokesperson for Ohaneze Ndigbo, Hon Alex Ogbonnia declined comment on the South-east governors communique, Founder of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Mr. Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko commended the governors for the timing of the communique. He said, “It is important deescalate tension. They did the right thing. The murder of that Nothern politician in the heartland of Igboland is very sensitive. The South-east governors showed leadership.”

Ugochukwu-Uko also said he believes the South-east governors are ready to atone for their past mistakes of keeping silent when youths from the region agitating for their rights are gunned down by security agents. “They have realised their past mistakes and they are trying to make amends. I suggest that they reach out to the leaders of the central government in Abuja and convey the grievances of these youths to them. That is the role they can play.”

Explaining the predicament of the South-east governors, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State told THISDAY, “People decided to sit-at-home not necessarily because all of them believe in IPOB. I could not rise to say you must go out. I am elected to protect lives and property. So, whenever I see myself as incapable of protecting lives and property of my people, I back out. I do not want to put them in harm’s way. Most people could not be persuaded to go out anyway because they looked at how much they will make and the value of their lives and they preferred to stay at home. When I drove around town on Monday I did not see police officers on patrol. In some states where the officers went out they were attacked.”