Chidi Samuel || Imo State governor and chairman of APC’s governor’s forum, Rochas Okorocha, has warned the Igbo not to fall for the antics and deception of Nnamdi Kanu, the self-styled leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) over the actualisation of an Independent State of Biafra.
Nnamdi Kanu
The Imos State governor, a fiery critic of the Nnamdi Kanu lead separatist group warned that the Igbo stands to lose trillions of Naira in cash and property in the event of another civil war in the country.
Okorocha who spoke in Owerri, at the presentation of staff of office and recognition to traditional rulers accused the traditional rulers of keeping quiet while the likes of Kanu is embarking on a journey that has the potential of destroying all that the Igbo has laboured for in Nigeria.
The governor said, “On IPOB, the cloud is gathering, nobody is talking, even our traditional rulers, pastors, and leaders. This is bad for our people. If you will remember vividly that few years ago, during the Civil War, it was a similar story. That was how it all started. At that time, we believed that the Ohafia warriors would be able to fight and disseminate the North”.
He continued, “Now we are being deceived that IPOB will drive away Nigeria and give us Biafra. Even our Pastors, men of God and some leaders in the rural areas, nobody is speaking out against this action and the song of war is coming gradually like a desert encroachment. We fought the war and it was believed that the Igbos would learn from it but they still went ahead and developing the resources of other regions.
“There are five million Igbo living outside the shores of Igbo region. Any form of war will cause the Igbos over three trillion naira loss in properties and assets. No sane person will spread the message of division and war because it does not benefit the Igbo in any way. I urge you, traditional rulers, to speak against it and educate your people on the true state of things. Igbo need to build a bridge of unity across the nation”.