An Igbo group, World Igbo National Union (WINU), has accused Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State of aligning with external political actors to undermine Igbo people.

It urged the governor to reverse his “misguided stance” and protect Igbo communities rather than pander to political advantages at every opportunity.

Soludo, during a town hall meeting with Anambra residents in the United States of America (USA), had claimed that 99.99 per cent of criminals arrested in Anambra State were not Fulani but Igbo, adding that armed criminals illegally occupying forests were Igbo.

Condemning the stance of the governor, WINU, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ifeanyi Uwakwa, urged him to make public his evidence to convince the world about his claim.

The group said, “It is surprising that the Anambra State governor would deliberately stand outside the home shore of Igbo land to make such a bogus and flattering claim that 99.9 per cent of armed criminals illegally occupying our forest are Igbo people.

“Gov Soludo made such a statement without substantiating it. It is an irresponsible speech without evidence. We categorically say that the assertion is really irresponsible and condemnable coming from someone of his educational standard.”

It demanded that the governor tender his evidence that support his USA speech, “or he should tender a public apology for his insensitive and callous claims made just to appease his political sponsors, Fulani herdsmen and those dubious, corrupt elements in Nigeria.”

The group further argued that foreign and local reports indicate that the Fulani herdsmen, armed with sophisticated weapons and occupying farms and forests, are being sponsored to carry out attacks. They claimed that Fulani Islamic foot soldiers are occupying forests in Igboland with the aim of establishing a foothold.

“Governor Soludo’s assertion is a case without merit. We advise him to work with a thorough investigation on such claims. His claims are without merit and should be verifiable with technology.

“We implore Governor Soludo to follow the lead of his counterpart in Abia State and adopt a zero-tolerance policy against the activities of armed groups that endanger our communities.

“The people of Anambra State have already expressed unequivocally their rejection of any proposals for RUGA settlements, and it is time for the governor to reverse this misguided stance to protect our communities rather than cater to political advantages.

“We urge Governor Soludo to align himself with the aspirations of the Igbo people rather than the interests of any external political actors,” the group stated.

WINU added that the true perpetrators of insecurity in Anambra State “are often Governor Soludo’s political militant groups, such as Ndi Aka Odo and Ndi Udo Ga Chi, and the Fulani terrorist herdsmen killing and destroying properties of Ndigbo.”

The group said that Anambra communities such as Mgbakwu, Igboariam, Umueri, Umunze, Ogbunka and Amansea are being terrorised badly. It asked to know why the “governor is covering up atrocities of these Fulani terrorist herdsmen in Igbo land and accusing the victims of being the terrorists”.

“The framing of victims as perpetrators is a shameful tactic and must cease. We stand united in our call for truth, accountability, and the protection of our land and people from all forms of violence and incursion,” the group added.