SAN FRANCISCO, October 17, (THEWILL) – Over 50 groups from the South-East and South-South geo-political zones have observed that the actions of the Federal Government was making it difficult for Nigeria to remain as one, threatening that they are ready to team up with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to pile pressure on the government to unconditionally release Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
In a two-point communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Enugu at the weekend, the groups declared that six regional structure remained the only formula to salvage and rebuild Nigeria, asserting that those opposed to six regional structure were only working towards the eventual disintegration of the country.
While condemning the continued detention of Kanu after two courts granted him unconditional release, the groups said they were ready to join forces with the IPOB in the quest to ensure the unconditional release of Kanu.
Some of the groups which attended the Enugu meeting include: Igbo Women Assembly, Igbo Youth Movement, South-East Christian Network, Igbo Traders Association, Igbo Students Union, CAN, PFN, Umuada Alaigbo, World Igbo Congress, Niger Delta Youth Forum, South-East Professionals, Igbo in Academia, Eastern Nigerian Congress, South-South Youth Congress and Igbo Diaspora Organisation. Others were Umuigbo United Front, South-South/South-East Coalition, Traditional Healers Union, United Road Workers Union and Foodstuff Dealers Association, among others.
According to them, “We are giving notice to the world that if the unjust, provocative and very divisive detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not specially looked into for the sake of peace, equity and justice, we may no longer restrain our members, affiliates, friends and sister-groups who have indicated their resolve to join and merge with the IPOB in solidarity with their persecution and unjust detention of their leader. Pursuit of self-determination is the inalienable right of all oppressed people the world over as endorsed by the United Nations (UN) Charter on Freedom.”
The President of Igbo Students Union, Chimezie Ubani, while addressing journalists after the meeting, said: “We pleaded for restructuring, they refused. We pleaded for a referendum, they said no; they treat us like slaves. Fulani herdsmen were raping our women, killing our farmers and abducting our priests. All the 54 tertiary institutions in the East have resolved to join the IPOB to turn it to the largest mass movement in the world.”
Story by Ugonnabo Ngwu
