Okorocha also offered a counteracting platform to Southeast separatist groups, the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and equally berated the group for beating the drums of war.
According to the governor, “the statements by IPOB and subsequent ones by Arewa youths are nonsensical, ill-informed and not for the best interest of Ndi Igbo neither is it for the best interest of Nigeria.
I condemn in its entirety the statements of IPOB and the reaction of the Arewayouth group. These people who have made these statements both from the North and South-East are people who may not have seen the effects of the civil war when Nigeria went into civil war”.
Instead of canvassing the breakaway of the Igbosfrom Nigeria, Okorocha said there is need for the economic emanation of the people through the Movement for the Economic Survival of Igbo People (MOESIP).
In a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the Imo governor asked the regional groupings to discard their style and modus operandi.
“I call on my Igbo brothers, the agitators, because there was nothing wrong doing what others are doing, your style is what is wrong.
You can’t be calling for a sovereign nation inside a nation, it is absolutely wrong,” he said, adding:“If you must agitate, I purpose you agitate for the Movement for Economic Survival of Igbo People (MOESIP).
That will help for the economic survival of our land, making agriculture the mainstay of our economy. That is only when we will command the respect of the rest of the world”.
Okorocha said he had been following the happenings and he choose not to speak hitherto so as not to be misconstrued.
“I have watched and read with keen interest the developments happening in our country with respect to the comments by IPOB and subsequent reaction by the Arewa Youth groups.
“I wish I do not speak on these matters or make any categorical comment as not to be misconstrued, misrepresented or misinterpreted.
But despite the political implications, I make bold to speak to my Igbo brothers and sisters and to our friends the Arewa and their leaders on these critical matters if only to save the lives of our generation yet unborn.
“You may recall that the issue of IPOB and MASSOB in the recent times has been making headlines in various media houses and the social media especially with many people giving different interpretations to the groups.
“Some see them as some uninformed youths calling for the sovereignty of the Biafra nation. Some see them as some groups seeking for personal recognition and aggrandizement for the purpose of political patronage. And for some other people, it is an invitation of what has happened in other geo-political zones in agitation just to get power and form the government at the centre as assumed to be the practice in the past”.
He also recollected how some Nigerians held some beliefs adding that all these were to no good to the nation.“The South-West became President of Nigeria because of the agitation by the Oduduwa group with respect to June 12 and that brought General Obasanjo as the President.
“Some argued that President Goodluck Jonathan came because of the agitation of the Niger Delta region for resource control and marginalization. Of recent it was also believed that President Buhari came in as President because of the agitation from Boko Haram in the recent past.
“Let me also mention that whatever is the reason for the agitation from different groups whether right or wrong, I feel it is an ill wind that has done this nation no good”.
He stated that he appealled for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and explained why the sit-at-home order by IPOB relatively succeeded.
“If you may recall, only few months ago I have pleaded and made request for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, making excuses for him and his group as youthful exuberance and I stated that keeping him in prison would command for him unwarranted popularity and followership. Shortly after that and followed by the comments from the South-East Governors, Nnamdi Kanu was released.
“Let me correct the impression that the South-East people and leaders supported the sit at home order. It is not true, two factors contributed.
“The sit-at-home order came shortly after the democracy day holiday and our people in their natural character would want to enjoy the holiday to the fullest, hence, considering that the day was 30th, so many people continued the holiday.
“And the second and most important reason was that most traders had the fear of hoodlums takingadvantage of the situation to disturb them and so stayed at home. It is not true that the sit at home order was purposely obeyed as support for IPOB”.
The governor further appealed thatan Igbo man in a practical manner is a peace loving man found at all nooks and crannies of the world while stating that people should neglect the impression that they are filled with violence .
“There is no place you go without finding an Igbo man either building the bridge of friendship or creating brotherhood, and at the same time developing and contributing immensely to the socio-economic development of that area. Igbo man is a more practical Nigerian because they are the only people to be found in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria”.
“In recent times, the impression given is that an Igbo man enjoys violence. Let me put it clear. Igbo man is not a troublesome man and not a man associated with violence. All he does is to enjoy his commerce and do his trading for the betterment of his family and society at large”.
“Let me inform all Nigerians that Igbos will remain peace-loving people and good Nigerians wherever they are found. If there is any group of people who had laid their lives and shed more blood for the unity of this country that person is an Igbo man.”
~Order Paper
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