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A team of five northern governors yesterday met with their Imo State counterpart, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and resolved to work for the indivisibility of Nigeria.
The delegation, comprising the chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and chief executive of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as well his Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Plateau colleagues, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Aminu Bello Masari and Simon Lalong; at the parley in Government House, Owerri, said though it was disturbed by the face-off between the agitators and the military in the region, it, however, enjoined the two ethnic nationalities to sustain the long-time peaceful bond between them.
The leader of the team, Shettima, lambasted Nnamdi Kanu for allegedly spearheading a crusade to divide the country.
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He described Okorocha as a proud Nigerian, urging him to continue using his “bridge building acumen to unify people in the area.”
Shettima recalled how their host was born in Igbo land, bred in the north and made his money in Yoruba territory through his united stance.
He accused some prominent Igbo sons and daughters of failing to develop the zone while in government and, instead, were now allegedly causing disaffection in the land.
Shettima queried: ‘’But did they translate such positions to meaningful development in Igbo land? The answer is no.’’
He accused them of pocketing resources that could have developed the region, describing the Port Harcourt -Owerri, Enugu-Port Harcourt roads as pitiable.
Earlier, Okorocha said though their mission was solemn, Imo people were excited by their visit, stressing that it was a ‘’show of love despite what Nigeria is passing through.”
He pleaded with his visitors to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to undertake a fact-finding visit to the state and the entire South East zone.
‘’I think Nigeria is passing through very difficult times which many nations passed through, ‘’ Okorocha added.
