Tobias Sylvester
The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against its plans to lock down the South-East every Monday due to the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
KanyiDaily recalls that IPOB had vowed to lock down the south-east and other Biafra states if the federal government refuses to release Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally before Monday, August 9.
IPOB said that the “Ghost Monday”, which would affect all economic activities including schools and marketplaces, would continue every Monday until Kanu is released from detention.
Don’t Lock Down South East – Von DG Tells IPOB
Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Okechukwu asked IPOB members to reconsider the decision which he described as a punishment and war against Ndigbo.
Okechukwu also urged the South East Zone to consider the immense infrastructural development being undertaken by the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the zone.
“Let me for the umpteenth time appeal to my brothers in IPOB to sheath their sword, for to lockdown the South-East is simply waging atrocious war against Ndigbo.
“Accordingly, it will be very big error for IPOB to lockdown the South-East and think they are tough, strategic and will achieve any meaningful result, capital NO.
“IPOB should not cut off Ndigbo’s nose to spite Buhari’s face, for Buhari is compensating with infrastructure.
“Appointments are transient, and infrastructure is permanent. The Standard Gauge Railroads which will soon cover the entire South-East will demonstrate the efficacy of infrastructure. IPOB, hold on please,” he said.
He also expressed support for Ohaneze Ndigbo’s position that the rule of law should prevail in the trial of Kanu, the leader of the proscribed IPOB.
“Hence, IPOB should be aware that to lock down South-East is nothing but to punish Ndigbo; to degrade against Ndigbo, South-East economy, to starve Ndigbo and akin to the obnoxious civil war doctrine of hunger as the best weapon.
“My brothers of IPOB clan, put on your thinking cap and be pragmatic, introspect and remember our brothers and sisters who are living in all the towns and villages nationwide, doing well and investing happily and prospering with other ethnic nationalities,” he said.
The lockdown threat comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned Nnamdi Kanu’s trial to October 21, due to the failure of the Nigerian Government to produce him in court.
Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the trial till October after the Department of State Services (DSS) blamed Kanu’s absence in court on what it termed as “logistical problems”.
