The Rivers Elders and Leaders Council (RELEC) Chairman Chief Albert Horsfall and Secretary Lawrence Ibiayenie, yesterday warned that Port Harcourt should not be turned to a battle ground by pro-Biafran agitators.
The elders described the protests by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as uncalled for. Rivers people are not Biafrans, they insisted.
According to them, it is wrong to transport Igbo youths in trailers and buses from the five states in the Southeast zone, to protest in Port Harcourt, thereby halting commercial activities, destroy property and cause untold hardship for motorists, commuters and pedestrians.
RELEC said: “The attempt by these elements (IPOB members) to focus on Port Harcourt for their political rascality is totally unacceptable and is hereby condemned by Rivers Elders and Leaders Council. The action so far taken by the Biafran protesters in Port Harcourt is highly provocative to all genuine sons and daughters of Rivers State, who have so far restrained themselves from confronting the demonstrators in Port Harcourt.
“The choice of Port Harcourt (for IPOB’s protests) may be a deliberate ploy to make the Rivers State capital the battle ground for any fracas that may follow their rascality. We reject these moves in its entirety and hereby repeat our warning that they (Biafran protesters) must desist forthwith.
“Rivers State people are not Biafrans and had never been and will never be. The RELEC wishes to call on all elders and leaders of the states from which these youths have been pouring into Port Harcourt, for this unwelcome and unwholesome political rascality, to call their youths to order and forbid them from forever staging further demonstrations and protests in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State.
“RELEC wishes to observe the good neighbourly relationship which has always existed between Rivers people and their neighbours. We wish that the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship should continue to exist. Persons responsible for the pro-Biafra protests must immediately halt the unfriendly activities forthwith.”
Rivers elders and leaders also stated that they “strongly” supported Wike’s ban of protests in Rivers state, which they said would go a long way to promote peace, thereby moving the state forward.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike in a broadcast on Wednesday banned further protests by IPOB members and demonstrations by other groups.
The Rivers Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, also noted that his command would not allow lawlessness or breakdown of law and order.
Senate minority leader Senator Godswill Akpabio also condemned the Biafran agitators.
Speaking at the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) conference in Abuja, Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom State governor, called on the Federal Government and the states where the militias are protesting to stop the spread of the agitation.
“The Biafra agitators must be told that those who witnessed the Nigerian civil war will never wish to experience another war in their entire lifetime.
“If you don’t like the government of the day, you must wait for another election to vote them out”, Akpabio said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Foolish elders. If Rivers youths want Biafra you cannot stop them. Horsfall...what a name. Sir did your papa fall from a horse? Stupid old man with the stupid name. Mad mad people
ReplyDeleteNigeria is feeding them fat and they know that in a civilised country they will need to earn their keeps.
DeleteOops! Somebody is not happy here. Sorry no free oil except palm oil. Let see how Biafra would survive here.
DeleteEven real Igbos like myself find it difficult to understand the reason for this call for the state of Biafra. I was a young man during the civil war and saw what war can bring. It is an evil wind that blows no good for anybody.
ReplyDeleteIgbos should work towards getting what is their due in Nigeria. The bigger a nation, the better off for the people. USA, Russia, China & co are great because of their size. The internal differences can be ironed out as time goes on. Whoever is behind this has a personal agenda which others that follow him are not yet aware of. Let us give peace a chance!!
May it be well with you. Igbos want Nigerians to treat them like royalty and make them our rulers. FYI igbos, Nigeria is democratic, to rule u have to endear the people and get their votes. Humble yourselves and seek our votes rather than protest that we have not given u presidency simply because you asked. Obas
DeleteSouth east and south south politicians and elders you are on your own.You greedy and diabolical good for nothing set of old fools can't divide the United people of Biafra again.Biafra or death this time.You fools should go abroad and bring back your sons and daughter to become one nigeria. Any way, you fools should get ready because we are coming after you people that penetrated the evils against the people of Biafra, "una cup don full already" nonsensical nonsense.
ReplyDeleteAkpabio, you are talking nonsense. Why are talking of war when people are talking of freedom. Unity and peace are not achieved by compulsion.
ReplyDeleteOmode ko mo yerepe, O npe ni ewe (a child does not know an itching kind of plant or nut, mistaken it for beans). He that have hear, let him hear the voice of the elders.
ReplyDeleteDs is Another program of Amaechi, Dakuku, and APC to call WIKE a bad name in other to make him fail at de APPEAL court......dey Burnt down INEC offce at Emoha and credited it to PDP So dat dey can convince de kankaro Tribunal and now dey av come again IT WILL NOT STAND......
ReplyDeleteLet all Biafran get ready for 40 years war like south Sudan or 50 years / endless war of SOMALIANS . Seccesion is not a childs play
ReplyDeleteThere is a misconception about this agitation. Everyone is linking it to invitation of a civil war. That's a wrong way to reason. These people are staging a peaceful protest. Are they bombing any place just like the bokoharam in the north? Are they shooting any body? Are they kidnapping anyone? They are just expressing there opinion to be left to exist alone. Everyone has a right to expression hence, it is a lawful exercise. I don't know why people are talking about war when the protesters are unarmed.
ReplyDeleteThat's why we say some of you are too young to even speak on these issues. The Biafra war started just like this - WITH PROTESTS although maybe with good reason. No war starts just suddenly. Young Easterners beware. You are the ones whose stakes are highest. Your future is at stake - for nothing!
DeleteLet them continue with their protest. Aboki Just dey look them. When the time comes they all will be crushed. Nonsense.
ReplyDelete