Igbo Group Kicks Against Militarization Of South-East, Says IPOB Not a Terrorist Organisation

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Thursday, October 12th, 2017

Photo: Prof. Ben Nwabueze

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The professor Ben Nwabueze, led Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), has condemned the invasion of the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria by the military through the Operation Python DanceII as well as the humiliation, and alleged attendant killings by the army, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Operation in the area.

It also asked the federal government to as a matter of urgency withdraw the operation Crocodile Smile in the South- South region of the country, even as the body frowned at the proscription of the Nnamdi Kanu led Independent people of Biafra , IPOB, as a terrorist organization “because it is not there under the extant national and international laws.

The group posited that militarising parts of Nigeria particularly South- East zone ,where unemployed youths are agitating for continued neglect and marginalization by government was not the solution, to the problem, saying , “ILT would like to remind all Nigerians that the greater problem facing Nigeria as a nation is the unresolved NATIONAL QUESTION.

A communique issued at the end of her plenary meeting in Enugu said “ILT stands with the Ibadan declaration of 7th September and insists on the power of the federal government being reduced far below what they were under the 1963 constitution.

The communiqué, signed by its chairman, professor Nwabueze, and made available to newsmen further read thus: “ILT notes and warmly commends the communique by the South South, South East, South West and the Middle Belt coalition of their Abuja meeting on Thursday 5th October.

“The ILT, demands on early convocation of a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution anchored on true federalism and regional autonomy affirmed through a referendum.

It “condemns the proscription of IPOB as a terrorist organization because it is not there under the extant national and international laws.

The organization also called for a thorough investigation into the allegation by the Minister of State Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu against the Group Managing Director GMD of Nigeria National petroleum corporation, NNPC for insubordination and by-passing the board of corporation.

” Finally, the ILT would like to reiterate for emphasis, the support for the widespread clamour in the country for restructuring.

Our Correspondent who covered the meeting reports that it was attended by some of its top members, such as former Director , National Orientation Agency, NOA, professor Elochuwu Amucheazi, Evangelist Elliot Uko, who is also the president of the famous Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, veteran politician and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), chief Eddy Onyia, among others.