South - south Denounce Biafra , Tells Agitators To Count Region Out

The ethnic nationalities of the South- South geo-political
zone, yesterday, denounced demands for Biafra by Igbo in
the South-East zone and called for an immediate cessation
of pro-Biafra protests on their soil.
In a
10-
point communique issued at Uyo at the end of a meeting
held under the auspices of the Conference of Ethnic
Nationalities of the South-South at Uyo, Akwa Ibom state,
chaired by HRM, Obong (Dr) EU Ekidem, Ntisong Ibibio III,
the Ntisong of Ibibio land, they dissociated the South-South
zone from the “so-called Biafra.”
Representatives of Ibibio, Efik, Anang, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo,
Ikwerre, Oro, Isoko and several other nationalities attended
the summit. Among them were the interim chair of the
group, HRM Ekidem, Convener of the meeting and Secretary
of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILoT, Delta state, Barrister
Edward Ekpoko, Albert Akpomudje, SAN (Urhobo) and
president general of Ogbakor- Ikwerre in Rivers state, Prof
A.M Onyeozu.
Pastor Nelson CocoBassey (Efik ethnic nationality), Ulap
Bidiak Uloh (Oro ethnic nationality), Amechi Ogbonnia
(Itsekiri), Obong Ukpong Umoh and Obong Aniedi Ndem were
also at the conference and signed the communique.
“We will not allow any inch of the land of the ethnic
nationalities mentioned above and other lands of the South-
South to be part of the ill-thought-out enterprise,” the South
South nationalities said.
“We call for a halt to demonstrations for Biafra on our land
henceforth as it touches on the collective sensibilities of our
people and could provoke ethnic crisis.
“We are not only surprised but shocked that Igbos who
returned to Nigeria after the fall of Biafra in January 15,
1970 with tales of woes and horrors can talk about Biafra.”
“It is in the interest of Igbos that Nigeria is protected as they
have more investments outside their homeland.”
The Conference, therefore, called on governors, political
leaders and traditional rulers of the South-East geopolitical
zone to “speak out now as their silence is becoming
eloquent.” Furthermore, the South-South ethnic nationalities
urged “well-meaning Igbos to call their children/wards to
order to prevent an avoidable crisis.”
“We call on the law enforcement agencies to be more
vigilant.
“We believe in one Nigeria and will do all within our power to
protect the unity of Nigeria,” they stated.