Abia has no hand in protest by IPOB, MASSOB – commissioner

Abia State government says it is not behind the protest by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba and other parts of the state.

Boni Iwuoha, the state commissioner for information and strategy, who stated this while briefing journalists in Aba, Wednesday, said Governor Okezie Ikpeazu saw the development the same way everybody saw it.

Iwuoha said it was part of the things that happen in a democracy, where people, who were aggrieved over an issue, could have the right to protest, peacefully, stressing that Abia State government had nothing to do with it.

According to Iwuoha, the governor believes in the unity and the indivisibility of Nigeria as a country, and supports the leadership of this country, because Nigeria must progress and move forward.

“So, there is no way that anyone around here can support any act capable of undermining the corporate existence of Nigeria.

“But we want to say that our suspicion is that some disgruntled elements, especially of the opposition parties are the ones responsible for the actions of these young people, who have been on the streets protesting for the Republic of Biafra, because leaders of the opposition parties see them as veritable tools they could use to destabilise the state,” he said.

He warned all those who had been funding disturbances in the state to seize forthwith, as government would no longer tolerate a situation where people hide under the youths in the name of protesting for one thing or the other and fuelling crisis.

He assured Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhari of the loyalty of the people of Abia State and the commitment of Governor Ikpeazu towards the progress, unity, invisibility and oneness of Nigeria as a country.

He however condemned the invasion of Eziuche Ubani’s residence by men of the Department of Security Service (DSS) and army, saying the action was unwarranted and unacceptable.

The state government frowns at the development and demands an explanation from the security agencies, whose personnel invaded the premises of Ubani, a former lawmaker and serving commissioner of works in the state, he said.

“Ubani is a peace loving Nigerian, who has served this country at various levels. He was a principal officer of the National Assembly and today he is the commissioner for works in Abia State. What has happened to him was wrong, condemnable, unwarranted and cannot be accepted, “he said.