Uzodimma says Igbo demand justice not secession

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has said that the Igbo are asking for equity, justice and level-playing ground because of their stake in Nigeria, and not secession.

Addressing members of Syndicate 1 of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 14 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), who visited Government House, Owerri, yesterday, he noted that the ethnic group was not in support of any form of break-up.

The governor asserted that the recent security breaches in the South East geo-political zone did not connote that Ndigbo were tired of being part of Nigeria.

His words: “All we want is justice, equity and fairness in a big Nigerian family. Secession is not on the table. Anyone championing that does not represent Ndigbo. We have a greater stake in a united Nigeria and will not be party to any scheme that will bring division among us. All we want is equity, justice and a level playing ground that allows live and let live”

Uzodimma, who recalled that he was the guest lecturer at the graduation of the institute’s Course 13 last year, stressed that the theme of the study, ‘Governance, Security and Sustainable Development in Africa: Nexus, Challenges and Prospects’, was apt.

According to him, the state government would work with the team to find solution to the security challenges, hinting that his administration had put machinery in motion to tackle unemployment.

Despite the existence of those fanning the ambers of disunity and fracas, there are many who desire peace in Nigeria, he noted.

“Let me admit that of late we have had one or two security challenges in the state. However, apart from these recent security breaches and pockets of crime here and there, lmo remains the safest state in this part of the country. Your presence in our state is timeous because we need to exchange ideas on the security challenges and other issues of mutual benefit that would aid our country and people overcome their fears,” he maintained.

On the safety of the state, the governor said: “Imo is safe and secure. To facilitate the security of our people, our first task on assumption of office was to provide over 100 patrol vehicles, fully equipped with modern communication gadgets. This ensures that, through our toll-free call centre established by the Federal Government, the people can put emergency calls across to the patrol vehicles to draw attention to a crime scene.

“Also by effectively collaborating with security agencies in the state, crime-busting has been made much easier and the crime rate has significantly dropped.”