A pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure group, the South East Revival Group
(SERG) has accused South East governors of playing politics with the
lives and property of Ndigbo for not taking decisive actions to prevent
the take over of Igbo forests by criminal elements.
While reacting to the recent killings in Ebonyi State and other parts of
the eastern region, the group in a statement signed by its President and
National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu said “Igbos should hold the
South East governors responsible for the ongoing loss of lives and
property in the region due to security challenges.
“We recall that at the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the South East
Revival Group had severally urged the South East governors to launch of
a central body to coordinate both relief efforts and security amid the
pandemic when it became obvious that the the federal government was not
providing the needed palliatives and security to curb influx of strange
persons into our forests.
“We advocated for tougher security measures in the South East,
particularly when we saw the obvious invasion of the region by some
suspected killer herders coming. Our call was after reports came that
some unknown persons were strategically taking over South East forests.
“As usual, the South East governors never adhered to the advice but only
mouthed a phantom plan to set up a security network for the zone.
“In fact, the then Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and
Governor of Ebonyi State had announced that by April 2020, the governors
were to announce a the establishment of a security outfit for the
region.
“That has already been sacrificed on the alters of political convenience
at the expense of the lives and property of law abiding Igbos.
“While other regions were busy working to ensure the security of lives
and property of their people, the South East governors were more
interested strategic plots to outsmart each on who would be favoured for
presidential or vice presidential slot in 2023.
“Shamefully, the primary responsibility of government, which is the
security of lives and property, became the victim of political
positioning that have seen one of the governor jump party ahead of the
next general elections.
“The SERG hereby reiterates its call on South East governors to
immediately set up a special zonal vigilante group to flush out hoodlums
from all forests in Igbo land as the constitutionally guaranteed Chief
Security Officers of their respective states.
“We call on all Igbo sons and daughters, at home and in the Diaspora, to
hold the governors of the South East accountable for all loss of lives
and property of our people”, the SERG insisted.