Commercial activities were grounded, while some commercial banks were, on Friday, shut in Owerri, Imo State, as thousands of Indigenous People of Biafra converged on the city from the other four South East and some South South states, calling for the secession of Nigeria.
This is even as a coalition of Imo Council of Youths, One Nigeria Group, Nigeria Youths Unity Group and Youth Assembly of Nigeria have warned the IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu from holding any rallying in the state.
At a press briefing in Owerri on Friday, the coordinators of the various youth bodies, Azunnaya Andrew, Emeka Igwe, GTC Samuel and Jeff Nwoha, said they would resist any activity or programme which seeks to threaten the country’s sovereignty.
Andrew said the youth group which he coordinates was totally against any move which will put to question the unity of the country.
The youth leader said, “One Nigeria Group stands for oneness of Nigeria. We totally condemn the pro-Biafra rally, which is going on in Owerri now, and which is being conducted by one Nnamdi Kanu.
“Even in the midst of marginalisation, we are supporting the governments of Muhammadu Buhari and Rochas Okorocha. We will not allow them to hold such rally in Imo State again.”
On his part, Igwe, who chairs Nigeria Youth Unity Group, said Biafra was not the solution to the problems of Ndigbo.
He said, “We are for the unity of Nigeria despite the injustices. We are not ready for war. The event of the Nigeria civil war is still fresh in our minds. These pro-Biafra youths are very inexperienced.”
Samuel, who is the speaker of Youth Assembly of Nigeria, said instead of a Sovereign State of Biafra, the youths of the South East were in support of the restructuring of the country.
According to him, “These pro-Biafra youths need orientation. What we support is restructuring, not secession. IPOB lacks orientation. Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable. No war, no separation.”
Nwoha said the youths were in support of Buhari and Okorocha, calling on the government to grant resource control to states, especially oil-bearing communities, adding that the measure will help to calm frayed nerves.
The state commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone said the pro-Biafra rally was being closely monitored by his command, assuring residents and visitors of their safety .
As of the time of filing this report, Kanu had yet to arrive, this is even as his multitude of supporters barricaded the Warehouse Junction, causing heavy traffic in the state capital.
PUNCH
