Posted by By PETRUS OBI, Enugu on
The South east governors Friday night met with leaders of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the Protea Hotel, Nike Lake, Enugu and called on the warring factions of the pan-Igbo group to sheathe their swords in the interest of peace in the region.
The South east governors Friday night met with leaders of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the Protea Hotel, Nike Lake, Enugu and called on the warring factions of the pan-Igbo group to sheathe their swords in the interest of peace in the region.
The meeting with the Ohaneze leaders, which held few hours after the Election Petition in Enugu nullified the election of Governor Sullivan Chime, was preceded by a closed door meeting of governors of the zone. All the governors were in attendance.
Chime, who was making his first public appearance after the tribunal judgment, was cheerful throughout the meeting, which was about to be called off due to the judgment until he gave the nod that it should continue.
The governor of Anambra State and Chairman, South east Governors' Forum, Mr. Peter Obi, who read the communiqué at the end of the four-hour meeting, conveyed the decision that Ohaneze was one, 'and this unity is not negotiable."
He noted that Ohaneze has only one constitution, which specifies a two-year tenure for elected officers.
The meeting, he said, resolved that all court cases related to the recent Ohaneze crises be withdrawn before the next meeting in a month's time.
The meeting further appealed to all Igbos to embrace peace and unity of action for which Ndigbo are famed.
Fielding questions from newsmen at the end of the meeting, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State noted that the current unity between the governors of the zone is borne out of the desire among the leaders to work towards the development of the people.
'We have also come to realize that without unity nothing much can be achieved, that is why we convened tonight's meeting, to reunite the factions in the Igbo apex body, Ohaneze."
The meeting was attended by the governors from Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states while some other dignitaries included Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, Chief C.C. Onoh, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Prof. Barth Naji, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Igwe James Mamah, Igwe Nnaemeka Anichebe, Chief Chris Okoye, Dr. Agom Eze, Chief Chris Nwankwo, Engr Peter Ede.