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Okorocha dissociates S’East leaders from pro-Biafra protests

By Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
22 October 2015   |   4:55 am
South East governors and other leaders of the zone have dissociated themselves from the protests embarked upon by loyalists of the rival group of Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in some states in the zone on Tuesday.
Rochas

Rochas

South East governors and other leaders of the zone have dissociated themselves from the protests embarked upon by loyalists of the rival group of Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in some states in the zone on Tuesday.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who made the declaration on behalf of the leaders yesterday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said they were not in support of such act principally because of the arrest of the Biafran Radio director, adding that such is not and cannot be in the best interest of the zone.

The statement, titled “Governors and leaders of South-East not in support of any protest in the name of Biafra”, reads in part: “Imo State Governor and Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, has said that the reported violent protests in some states’ capitals, including those of Rivers, Anambra and Delta, in the name of Biafra do not in any way have the support or blessing of the governors and leaders of the South-East geo-political zone either directly or indirectly.

“The reported protests in the mentioned states’ capitals which turned violent were said to have been carried out over Radio Biafra and the arrest of its Director by security agents.

“ Okorocha said the ugly development was highly regrettable, especially when it was clear that such violent protests in the name of Biafra wouldn’t add any value to the development of the South-East and the progress of the people of the area.

“ The governors and leaders of the South-East condemn the protests, especially when they were carried out in the name of Biafra. If a section of the people in the South-East or even the whole people in the geo-political zone protest over the bad shape of the federal roads in the area or protest over the total negligence of the geo-political zone, every governor and leader in the area would support that, but not to protest over an issue that is neither here nor there.

“The South-East is an integral part of Nigeria and the governors and leaders from the area so much believe in the unity of the country and would always work towards sustaining the unity. And as far as the governors and leaders of the South-East are concerned, those behind the campaign for Biafra have their ulterior motive, which has nothing to do with corporate interest of Ndi-Igbo in Nigeria of our collective dream.

“The concern of the governors and other South-East leaders is to get what is due for us in our country, and any other quest especially for Biafra is diversionary.

“Governor Okorocha called on those behind all these protests on the basis of Biafra to give peace a chance and expressed regret that some Igbo people could get involved in a protest the end – result of which won’t benefit Ndi-Igbo in any way, but could lead to the shooting of some of them.

“The Imo governor said that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable, and the South-East people strongly believe in that unity and would work assiduously to ensure its sustenance.”

11 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Okorocha please speak for yourself.

    • Author’s gravatar

      My brother why bother yourself for this Agent of “Lucia”. He is still dreaming, he thinks we are joking. What so evil and lawless about people seeking self determination??

    • Author’s gravatar

      In as much as i am not a fan of governor rochas okorocha ,he is very right, we have exceedingly much to loose and less to benefit from,consider the number of igbo’s outside the eastern part of nigeria and how much they have at stake ,no country can stand alone to whom do we want to align ourself to the selfish china, or the exploiters Russia

  • Author’s gravatar

    For me as a citizen the more we are as a nation state the better and the merrier! In as much as one Nigeria is desirable, the agitation for self determination by any group within the Federation should not be ignored or violently quelled. It should be listened to and through the rule of law be properly addressed. A referendum could be conducted within such geographical locations to determine whether the agitation is by the majority of the section or not. If it is the majority the nation should use persuasion rather than coercion to make them stay, and if there are legitimate demands to redress any issue it should be done without killing ourselves and if they want to go away lets part ways as best of friends. Impunity had been the bane of Nigeria when politicians behave as is they own the country,! Just imagine our Legislators clamouring for immunity against being tried! Did we employ them to make the laws they would be masters upon? How can I employ someone to be my master?! Why should anyone want to be above the law if not for impunity and selfishness? The people clamouring for self determination have the right to air what painfully agitates their minds . The nation had the duty to listen to her citizens and make them feel good and be at peace. Justice is giving each his or her due. What is due to these Agitators is not wontom prosecution and persecution but a listening EAR! God bless Nigeria. Long live Nigeria.

  • Author’s gravatar

    At list when men talk we know

  • Author’s gravatar

    Sir okorocha please speak for yourself not for our people there is no going back

  • Author’s gravatar

    r
    “Imo State Governor and Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Rochas
    Okorocha, has said that the reported violent protests in some states’
    capitals, including those of Rivers, Anambra and Delta, in the name of
    Biafra do not in any way have the support or blessing of the governors
    and leaders of the South-East Geo-political zone either directly or
    indirectly.
    ———— Governor Rochas Okorocha.
    I ask, which leaders of the South-East Geo-political zone is Governor Rochas referring to? Where is Governor Rochas referring to as South-East Geo-political zone? Asaba, Igwenga, Igweocha, Owerri, Umuahia, Abakaliki, Awka(Oka) and Enugu are all ala Igbo and any other area outside, that were inside the former Eastern Region are under Biafra( although, they belong to nationalities whose right to self determination can never be forcibly abridged). “We the people of Nigeria” where General Abdulsalami Abubakar arrogated the power of 170 million people to himself, is an illegality that will never allow Nigeria to ascend to the level of nation building, until power is returned to the masses of the people through a referendum.
    Finally, if the people are demonstrating their solidarity in support of Nnamdi Kanu and such demonstration was not ordered by any one, doesn’t it portray the position of the masses of the people? If you claim to be a leader representing a certain people, and the people concerned are identifying with the position of another person representing another ideal outside your own, what does it show about your claim to be their leader? The position of leadership can only be validated through affirmation by the purported leader’s subjects, not by the presumed leader.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Rochas please stop dreaming, you will never be the president of this nation, Nnamdi Azikiwe made the same mistake you are making now. If you can tell yourself the truth you will agree with me that the marriage are not working and the marriage will never work, remain neutral if you like but posterity will never forgive you if you give the international communities a wrong impression that will derail this noble course.

  • Author’s gravatar

    WHO MADE OKOROCHA SE leader?
    This FOOL is tearing up Imo State, and he is so power hungry that he has become dangerous to Igbos everywhere.