Quit Notice to Igbos: Okorocha, Ekweremadu, Other Igbo Leaders List Grievances in Aso Rock Meeting with Osinbajo

Posted by Odinaka on Thu 15th Jun, 2017 - tori.ng

The acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, met with Igbo leaders including Willy Obiano, Ike Ekweremadu, Rochas Okorocha, as well as IG of Police, and the South Easterners have listed their grievances.

Today's meeting, the 2nd in the series was with Leaders of Thought from the South East. As leaders we carry the burden to secure the peace. pic.twitter.com/Tccue3pmjV
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) June 14, 2017

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, yesterday, gave insight into the meeting South-east leaders had with Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, in Aso Rock, The Sun reports.

The meeting was in continuation of consultations embarked on by Osinbajo with leaders of thought, at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

It held against the backdrop of an October 1, 2017 quit notice issued by a coalition of Arewa youth groups to Igbo, last week and the separatist push by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Speaking on Politics Today, on Channels Television, Okorocha said the South-east tabled some grievances before Osinbajo who, he said, promised to address them.

“The focal point was talking about the unity of this country, which is paramount. Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable. Igbo have expressed dissatisfaction with lopsided appointments, infrastructure deficit, the Second Niger Bridge.

“No one supports secession of any form. We support a Nigeria that is indivisible and indissoluble.”

Asked if Igbo have been marginalised, Okorocha replied: “I would say so, in terms of lopsided appointments and the South-east needs attention, which is understandable.

“The acting president did a good analysis of political appointments so far, but there’s need to look at that side of the country and give them a sense of belonging.”

On IPOB agitation and the October 1 eviction order by Arewa youths, he said separatist groups did not represent anybody except themselves.

“Sovereignty within the Nigerian nation is unacceptable…You cannot ask someone to leave the North and go back to the South-east…You cannot ask someone to leave the country, it makes no sense. It was a faulty statement.

“These are groups of people. It was Arewa youths, not the entire north and when you talk of IPOB, it’s not the entire South-east that wants to secede; its not the entire South-east talking. I’ve personally condemned those statements…Let’s see it as youthful exuberance.”

Some of those present at the meeting were Senate Preaident, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Governor of Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Governor of Ebonyi, David Umahi; Governor of Abia; Okezie Ikpeazu; Governor of Anambra, Willy Obiano; Governor Okorocha; Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, Inspector General of Police and ministers.