- General Umahi, chairman of the Committee, is junior brother to SEGF chairman, Governor Umahi
- Says security committee was neither funded nor given any office space
Chairman of the South East Security Committee, Major General Obi Abel Umahi (rtd) has resigned, blaming the non-funding of the Committee for the collapse of security in the South East.
General Umahi is the junior brother to the chairman of the South East Governors Forum, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.
The security outfit was formed on August 31, 2019 with the objective of tackling insecurity challenges in the South East of Nigeria but none of the Governors was willing to fund the operations of the Committee.
On 11th April, 2021, the South East Governors announced the formation of EBUBEAGU at Owerri, but till date, no action has been taken to implement it.
Specifically, General Umahi noted that from inception South East Security Committee and formation of EBUBEAGU, and till date, no fund was allocated for its operations by the Governors of the South East region nor was “even an office space provided.”
In the letter of resignation dated June 4, 2021 entitled: “Resignation As Chairman South East Security Committee – Ebubeagu” and addressed to chairman of the South East Governor’s Forum, and copied to both Ambassador. (Professor) George Obiozor, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and Director General, South East Governors’ Forum, General Umahi
Part of the letter reads: “Since this Security Committee was formed, we deliberated and agreed on ways to raise security consciousness down to the community level in Igbo land, mode of operations, logistics and some types of equipment required, such as drones, vehicles etc. We also crafted the Concept of SE Security.
“Additionally, I chaired a 21-man Committee set up to draft a legal framework for the SE Security outfit. The committee was composed of members of SE Security committee, the Attorney generals of the five SE States and some prominent Igbo sons and daughters. The 21-man Legal Framework Committee was funded to completion by the Governor of Ebonyi State.
“On 11th April, 2021, SE Governors announced the formation of EBUBEAGU at Owerri. Subsequently, the draft legal framework produced by the 21-man Committee was reviewed by SE Security Committee members and the Attorney Generals of the five Se States to suit South East Ebubeagu Security outfit.
“The SE Security Committee thoroughly prepared and submitted the modalities, including the structure, for the take-off of EBUBEAGU to the Governors’ Forum during the security of South East Governors’ Forum, attended by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and some other Igbo leaders a request that EBUBEAGU should be jointly rolled out as a matter of urgency and also funded by the Government of the five SE States. From inception to date, SE Security Committee was never funded at all in any capacity and not even an office space was provided.
“At this juncture that EBUBEAGU will soon come fully on-stream, I respectfully request that Your Excellencies kindly permit me to resign my appointment as the chairman, SE Security Committee. in the spirit of my love to serve Ndigbo.
“I can assure you that I will always be available to advice on the success of EBUBEAGU at no cost, just as i served as the Chairman of South East Security Committee from 31 August 2019 till date at no cost directly or indirectly to the five South East State Government, groups and individual. I highly appreciate Your Excellencies for the opportunity you gave me to serve Ndigbo.
“Please be assured of my loyalty, respect and accept my highest regards of your esteemed considerations.”
