By Matthew Don
Governors from the South East zoned of the country, met on Saturday, July 1 in Enugu, the Enugu State capital to consider the security challenges threatening the region and to also consider the economic integration of the area.
In attendance at the meeting were the host governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State who is the chairman of South East Governors forum, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.
Issues discussed at the meeting according to Umahi who bried newsmen included the security of lives and property of South Easterners and the potential inherent in integrating the region economically for greater gains of the indigenes of South East in particular and the country at large.
Some of the security issues giving the governors concern of late are the quit notice which some misguided Arewa youths issued to Ndigbo living in the North to leave the place on or before October 1 which has necessitated a lot of responses from well meaning Igbo leaders and some Nigerians of different ethnic hues.
Though the Federal Government had reassured the Igbo of their protection where ever they may find themselves in any part of the country doing geniune business, so many people, including South Easterners are still worried about the ultimatum which leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu of late gave, warning the people to boycott the forth coming November 18 Anambra State governorship election.
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo who addressed the Anambra State House of Assembly members last week took a swipe at Kanu and urged the people to ignore him as they could not afford to boycott an election that has a lot to do with their future.
Sources close to the South East Governors Forum told Armadanews.com that the threat by IPOB and by extension Members of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), are being viewed as the greatest threat to the governors political ambition and and the South East environment and so, they are resolved to deal with it decively.
However, the opportunity provided by the meeting was used to look at the recommendation of the committee the governors set up to consider economic integration of the region in the shortest possible time.