CHUKA UBAH
The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the Igbo on the need not to demarket Southeast over insecurity so as not to scare away investors.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the group stated this in a statement signed by their Deputy President General and National spokesman, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Chimereze Thompson Ohia respectively.
The group stated: “We finds it imperative to address, with unwavering resolve and profound concern, the recent claims made by Anambra Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo”
“We noted Governor Soludo’s assertion that 99.9% of criminals operating within the Southeast are of Igbo descent. It is not only unfounded but also constitutes a grievous misrepresentation of the facts.”
“Such statements have sent chilling shockwaves across the Igbo Nation, relegating the region’s reputation to unmerited disparagement.”
“Governor Soludo’s remarks have inadvertently de-marketed the Southeast before prospective foreign investors, casting a pall of insecurity that could severely undermine the economic potential of our region. In a recent discussions held during the Igbo USA Town-Hall Meeting, the resonance of Governor Soludo’s high-profile declaration—which suggested that the Southeast is unsafe for both foreign and local investments—lingers unsettlingly in the minds of investors and stakeholders.”
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is compelled to publicly refute these baseless allegations. It is critical to clarify that the overwhelming majority of criminal activities in the Southeast are perpetuated by non-Igbo entities, particularly foreign Fulani militias and terrorists. In truth, the complexities surrounding the troubling issue of insecurity extend far beyond the confines of any single ethnic group.”
“It is regrettably evident that a predominant failure of leadership characterized by moral bankruptcy has manifested among Southeast Governors. This situation has led to the emergence of deceptive narratives that aim to shift the blame for systemic failures onto the shoulders of the very people they have sworn to protect. Such actions highlight an alarming incapacity among the regional leaders to devise effective solutions to the pressing security challenges that confront the inhabitants of the Southeast.”
“Disappointment has echoed resoundingly among Igbos, both at home and abroad, in light of Governor Soludo’s statements regarding 99.9% of criminals being Igbos. The reality, supported by a wealth of irrefutable evidence, depicts a different picture altogether, where Fulani militias continue to perpetrate acts of violence and terror across our region. The pressing questions that linger in the hearts and minds of our people include: Why did Governor Soludo fail to address the atrocities committed by these foreign Fulani herdsmen and militias? What was his intention in disseminating such a damaging narrative to an audience abroad?”
“Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that the Southeast Governors, having met in Enugu on July 2, 2024, pledged to engage President Tinubu in a bid to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a strategic move aimed at alleviating the heightened security crisis in the Southeast. Regrettably, this promise remains unfulfilled, and the conspicuous silence that followed stands as testimony to a grave abdication of duty.”
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo utilizes this platform to issue an urgent and unequivocal call to action directed towards the Southeast Governors: Arise from complacency and assume the mantle of responsibility required to protect our people. We advocate for the establishment of Local Government Vigilante groups throughout the region to combat the rising threats posed by Fulani militias, who are poised to target our communities with malicious intention.”
“The prevailing atmosphere of instability and insecurity within the Southeast cannot be overlooked. It is an indisputable truth that our region is under siege, necessitating immediate and concerted action. Therefore, we hold incumbent Governors accountable for their failure to safeguard the lives of their constituents. Should they continue to falter, the electorate will be duly vigilant and prepared to express their discontent at the polls, thereby voting out any leader who neglects their duty of care.”
“In conclusion, let this statement serve not only as a rebuttal to erroneous claims but as a clarion call for unity, action, and accountability among the Southeast Governors. It is time to rise, assert our agency, and fortify the security of our land.” the group stated.