Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday has abrogated its sit at home directive in South East Nigeria, saying the move is geared towards embracing peace negotiations.
The IPOB position was conveyed at a stakeholders meeting organized by the Anambra State government in the State capital Awka.
The group said it has yielded to the appeal by the Anambra Government and Traditional rulers to pave the way for peace, since all Igbo stakeholders and religious leaders have declared their intention to find a lasting solution to insecurity and incessant sit-at-home directives in the South East.
The new posture was announced by the Chairman, Anambra Traditional Rulers Council and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, during the one-day peace building and security meeting.
Igwe Achebe said stakeholders have continually held meetings on the way forward to lasting resolutions of the impasse with the agitators, stating that after its meeting with the group on Friday, April 1, it was agreed that a call to release the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, would be a step to dousing the tension in the State.
He said that after the meeting, the group placed a call to all its members to sheathe their swords, put down their guns and go the way of dialogue.
“We call on all who had taken the way of gun to put down their guns and take up the olive leaf from the government to better themselves,” Achebe said.
He said that the state government has set April 4 for prayers aimed at seeking God’s face to restore a lasting peace in Anambra and South East as whole.
Igwe Achebe said it was agreed that on April 4, all churches in Igboland and South East will join in prayers to seek God’s forgiveness and to restore peace in the area.
“Igboland has lost so much in economic and social development of the zone and we are tired of the situation and want peace.
“It is agreed that on Sunday, April 3, all churches will announce the IPOB decision to their faithful to come out on Monday 11am to their various churches to offer prayers to God for the restoration of peace and economic development.”
Other speakers at the stakeholders meeting spoke in line with the decision.
The speakers include Mr Uche Okafor, Anambra Speaker, who assured assured that the legislators would partner with the state government to enthrone lasting peace and economic development of the state and the zone.
Chief Damin Ogene-Okeke, the National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urged the public to embrace the decision to establish peace building amongst “ourselves and work towards improving security sanity in the state”.
He called on the governors of the South East States to represent their people well and speak the minds of the citizens who elected them into office.
NAN
