D/ Gov. Dr Nkem Okeke of Anambra State, Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Nnamdi Kanu and convener of August 30th peace meeting, Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Evangelist Elliott Ugochukwu-Ukoh.
By Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
Expressing fear for his life, particularly since the gradual deployment by the Nigerian Army into the five southeast states for ‘Operation ’Python Dance 2’, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, has broken off the proposed meeting with governors of the states scheduled for Friday
In a statement with journalists Wednesday, he said he would rather attend to his injured members in the recent clash with soldiers and meet with his team to consider the next step of action than attend the meeting with the governors.
According to him the peaceful approach he had been prevailed upon to follow in resolving his group’s compliant appears to be hitting the rock in the face of current developments,
He said; “Before now, prominent leaders and groups had insisted that I tow the line of peaceful dialogue and meet with the governors to find a lasting solution to our grievances.
“I conceded to that request which led to the 30th of August 2017 meeting with the South-East Governors Forum at the Government House in Enugu, in the company of the very eminent Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Evangelist Elliott Ugochukwu-Ukoh.
“In view of the concerted effort by the oppressive Nigerian state to shatter the peace and tranquility of the South-East and the rest of Biafraland through military intimidation, it has become necessary for me to clarify why, regrettably, I may not be able to attend Friday’s meeting with the South-East governors as earlier agreed, for three main reasons.
“1.) We are currently busy attending to our dead and injured from this latest round of unprovoked military onslaught against innocent civilians in our own land. All the casualties so far were shot by men of the Nigerian Army deployed to my house and those stationed along motorways leading into Umuahia my hometown.
“2.) I have been reliably informed also, that a detachment of … soldiers responsible for the murder of innocent unarmed IPOB family members have now been stationed near Enugu to ambush and assassinate me on my way to the meeting with the governors on Friday.
“3.) On that same Friday the 15th of September 2017, the leadership of IPOB through the instrumentality of the Directorate of State (DOS) headquartered in Germany, will be meeting to vote on the viability or otherwise of continuing our struggle in this non-violent manner. There is urgent need to begin the process of defending ourselves in the face of relentless murderous attacks from the Nigerian state.”
