IPOB Protest Illegal, We Don't Need This Distraction —Willie Obiano, Okorocha

In its reaction, Anambra State government said the protest by IPOB, in Onitsha was illegal, noting that the group did not obtain the necessary police permit for the rally.

In an announcement shortly after the Onitsha incident, government, through the state Commissioner for Information and Communications Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta, said: “The attention of Anambra State government has been drawn to illegal demonstration by a group of individuals causing anxiety at Nkpor/Onitsha axis of the state.  The law enforcement agencies are on top of the situation and are currently working to restore normalcy and free movement for all law-abiding citizens.

“Ndi Anambra are, hereby, advised to remain calm and vigilant and go about their lawful businesses. All should note that there are laws against disturbance of public peace.”
  
Wedon’t need this distraction now—Okorocha

Reacting to the development, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said the development was a distraction which the South-East  does not need at this point.

A statement signedby his  Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “What the South-East  and her people need at the moment is economic revolution to reposition the area for development and growth. Anything short of this lofty dream is a distraction. What the people of the zone need to do now is to tap into President Buhari’s administration to get their due. They should forget these distractions.”

Former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya, has said IPOB had no reason to confront soldiers if it was engaged in peaceful demonstration.

Eya, who spoke against reports that soldiers opened fire on IPOB members who were celebrating Biafran heroes at Nkpo, near Onitsha, warned those agitating for Biafran to remember that Biafra died in 1970 when the secessionist war ended in the country.

“I had always said that Nigerians must be disciplined and also imbibe the habit of engaging in peaceful demonstration.

“Anybody who wants to embark on peaceful demonstration must obtain police permit.

“If you do so, the police will provide security and ensure that hooligans do not hijack it. This is the standard behaviour all over the world.

“If it is true that the IPOB people actually killed a soldier, the natural reaction would be for his colleagues to open fire on the demonstrators.

“Many of us still have Biafra in our hearts but nobody should engage in illegality. They kill you and you are out.

As long as we continue to engage in illegality, we will not get our bearing.

Efforts to get the Presidency’s reaction proved abortive as the Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina could be reached. 


Culled from Vanguard