The Abia State Government has accused the opposition All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, of sponsoring the protests by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, which are calling for an independent state of Biafra.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Aba on Sunday, alleged that APGA leaders engaged the protesting youths in order to destabilize the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and warned that government will no longer tolerate the activities of disgruntled elements.
He said: “Our suspicion is that some disgruntled elements, especially of the opposition party, APGA, are the ones responsible for the action of these youths who have been on the streets, demonstrating for the Republic of Biafra. This is because leaders of the opposition parties see them as veritable tools to destabilize the state and distract Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. We are warning these people, who have been sponsoring disturbances in the state to cease forthwith.
“Government will no longer tolerate a situation where people will hide under these youths to continue to sponsor crisis in the state. We want to assure the people of the state and Nigerians of their safety, and to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the loyalty of the people of Abia State and the commitment of the government of the state towards the unity and progress of Nigeria. The government of Abia State has nothing to do with the protests by MASSOB and IPOB”.
According to him: “We saw what happened as every other person saw it. It is part of the thing that happens in a democracy where people who are aggrieved over one thing or the other have the right to protest peacefully. Therefore, Abia State government doesn’t have anything to do with it.
“Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu believes in the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria as a country. He supports the leadership of this country because Nigeria must progress and move forward”.
