By Uzoma Akobundu
In what looks like an approval of what the Defence Headquarters had done by slamming the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorists group, governors of the South East met on Friday, September 15 in Enugu State, proscribing the activities of the group in their area.
By the decision, they will now have the power to deal with the members who fail to keep the peace of the area by inviting the military or the police, depending on their choice and magnitude of alleged offence.
The governors who met with the Commander of the 82 Brigade Enugu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Enugu, Major General A.B. Abubakar together with the leadership of the apex Igbo socio-political organization, rose from the meeting satisfied that the peace of the South East region has been secured once more.
Speculations have been rife that it was the governors who invited the military in what we saw as Operation Python Dance 11 that resulted in the clash of the IPOB members and the soldiers, with some persons being killed during the clash.
“To tame the present groundswell of tension in the South-East zone and other parts of the country in view of the clash between IPOB and security operatives in Abia and River states, Forum of South East Governors has proscribed all activities of IPOB in the zone. Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and that of National Assembly from the South East were in attendance at the meeting in Enugu where the decision was taken,” an official of the Enugu State posted on his Facebook wall on Friday.
All the governors from the South East were in attendance apart from Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State who was represented by his deputy, Eze Madumere.
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nnia Nwodo also attended the meeting and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu also attended.
A communique after the meeting reads: “In view of the prevailing security situation in the South East and its attendant consequences, the South East Governors Forum hereby resolves as follows:
“All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South-East Zone, through their chairman, South-East Governors Forum.
“All Governors of South-East Zone are to ensure compliance in their respective states”.
Meanwhile, the Igbo Community Association in Kano State has dissociated itself from the activities of Kanu.
The President-General of the association, Ebenezer Chima, made the position of the association known at a joint news conference in Kano on Friday.
“We want to state categorically here that we, the Igbos residing and doing business in Kano State, unequivocally state that we dissociate ourselves from the activities of IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“We are strongly advocating for peace and unity in the land,” Chima said.
While condemning “in its entirety’’ the unfortunate and avoidable crisis in Abia, he called on all Igbos resident in the state to remain calm as nothing would happen to them.
According to him, the state government under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and security agents have given the assurance of adequate security of our lives and property.
“However, we join the South-East governors, the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and other notable Igbo leaders, to ask the Federal Government to address the issues of equality and even distribution of our common wealth.
“This, we believe will bring an end to these agitations in the country.’’
On his part, President of Ethnic Community Leaders Association (ECLAK) in the state, 
Jimpat Ayelangbe, assured all non-indigenes of adequate security of their lives and property.
He said that the assurance stemmed from the meetings they had with various leaders and security agencies in the state.
“ECLAK got the mandate to speak to the media by allaying fears of our people over the concern of their lives and property.
“ECLAK is interested in a united Nigeria because we believe that those not living in their states of origin should not contribute to disorganise the country.’’
Ayelangbe commended the Northern states governors and their South-East counterparts and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had constituted committees on restructuring.
He called on his members and other Nigerians to avoid hate speeches in order to foster national unity.