The Governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu has accused the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, of ordering members of the group to kill him and other South-East governors.
The governor stated this on Friday, April 23, 2021, during an engaging session with youths and women under the auspices of the “TOS Foundation Youth and Women for Good Governance.” in Abuja.
Ikpeazu did not explain why IPOB wants him and other South-East governors killed, but he did say he does not agree with the group’s leader’s style or policy.
He maintained that some of Kanu’s points are true, but his approach leaves a lot to be desired.
“People are beginning to think now that some of the issues raised by Nnamdi (Kanu), if they are issues of injustice, marginalisation and inequality, any part of society have a right to begin to feel cheated or unwanted.
“So, some of those things which Nnamdi said are valid. Some of us can see them. We cannot continue to hide behind a finger.
“But some of us do not subscribe to his style or strategy. Because I do not understand where he is going and how he is going and when he plans to pull the brakes and what he wants to achieve.</p>
“If I have a way of conveying my views to the leadership of that group, what I will say is they should find a way to enter into conversation and let people know.
“I am under their fatwa now and some of my brother governors. They say if you see them kill them.’ Ikpeazu said.
Read Also: gunmen-attack-gov-uzodinmas-house-kill-security-guards
The governor also accused IPOB of “fighting in the kitchen,” claiming he doesn’t understand why the group prefers to target civil rule institutions.
“By the time the war in the kitchen ends, mama’s pot of soup would have spilled, there will be no plates to eat and everybody would be hungry and eventually it would not serve any good purpose. I don’t understand their strategy.
“I don’t understand what they want to achieve and I don’t understand why they prefer to attack institutions of civil rule.
“A lot of people who are apologetic to their strategy do not even know that they are riding the tiger because if the police and the military withdraw and brigands become the enforcers of law and order if you have a little quarrel with your brother, how do you resolve it?” he said.
Ikpeazu, in proposing a solution to the country’s security concerns, stated that the issues must be approached holistically.
He stated that efforts to combat terrorism in Nigeria are more focused on spending on boots on the ground, weapons, and ammunition.
He further, urged the Federal Government to commit 35% of its resources to boots on the ground and the remaining 65% to information collection, analysis, and production.
