The South-East Elders have resolved to send a delegation to President Muhammadu Buhari over the ongoing pro-Biafra protest in the zone by members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB and the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB.
The elders have equally set up a committee over the lingering leadership tussle rocking the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The meeting, which held in Enugu on Sunday, was at the instance of the South-East Governors.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who read a communique at the end of the meeting, said a committee would also be set up to immediately address the impasse on Ohaneze leadership.
The communique reads: “As a meeting of South-East Elders summoned at the instance of the South-East Governors in Enugu today, November 22, 2015, the following resolutions were reached:
“That the South-East Governors set up a committee to immediately address the impasse on Ohanaeze Leadership.
“After a compassionate review of recent MASSOB/IPOB agitations resolved that a committee be set up to dialogue with MASSOB/IPOB as well as Federal Government with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issues.
“The elders also examined other issues, including poor state of infrastructural facilities in the south East, marginalisation in Federal appointments and other socio-economic issues that impact on the economic development of the South East and resolved to support the decision of the South East Governors to set up an Economic Council and urged them to interface with Federal Government on remedial measures.
“A delegation of the elders of the South-East was mandated to meet with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Those in attendance included Governors Rochas Okorocha, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Dave Umahi, of Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi, respectively, and Deputy Governors of Abia Ndu Oko Chukwu, as well as that of Anambra, Nkem Okeke.
Others in attendance included Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Enugu Governor, Sullivan Chime, former minister, Nnia Nwodo, among others.
Meanwhile, the leadership of South East/South South Professionals also met in Enugu on Sunday with leaders of MASSOB and IPOB and decided that OHANAEZE should summon a meeting of Imeobi (Elders Council) to discuss the current situation in Igboland.
President of South/South Professionals, Emeka Ugwuoju, who spoke on behalf of the group, however, advised MASSOB and IPOB to maintain peace as they had done so far.
“Ohanaeze noted the immediate demand of MASSOB and IPOB which is the release of Nnamdi Kanu. The meeting condemned the rascaility of the chairman of the Anambra State Chapter of OHANAEZE in publishing a position pertaining to himself and purporting it to be Ohanaeze’s stand, since his position does qualify him to speak for Ohanaeze,” he stated.
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