According to the report from the Vanguard, The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists have called upon the Southeast leaders to exhibit responsible leadership. In a statement to the press, Mazi Uche Mefor, the Convener of IBN, discussed the issue of governance in the South East geo-political zone.
Mefor expressed his appreciation to the South-East political leaders/representatives and other stakeholders, such as the Ohaneze Ndigbo, for adopting their proposal to engage the Nigerian state in discussions regarding the future of the Igbo Nation. He commended them for taking a firm stand in defense of the South-East region and advocating for the creation of additional states to bring it on par with other regions.
However, Mefor cautioned the South-East region representatives to coordinate and cooperate amongst themselves and avoid sponsoring bills that would further divide the region. He urged them to prioritize and support the bill for the creation of Anioma state or any other state that would bring back the uprooted and transferred Igbo communities from the south-south and the Middlebelt/North Central regions.
Additionally, Mefor emphasized the need for prompt payment of salaries and pensions, provision of social amenities, and the sponsorship of bills to address instances of marginalization and injustices against the South-East region. He also called for legal action against the Nigerian state through the offices of the various state attorneys general. Failure to take control over the security of the South-East region could result in being overrun by criminal elements, he warned.