Group Forsees Emergence Of Parallel Govts In S’East

A group, Concerned Igbo Stakeholders’ Forum, Wednesday, charged governors of Southeast states to convene a multi-stakeholders’ consultative forum to initiate moves to avert parallel governments as a result of conflicting orders in the region between governors and secessionists groups.

The leader of the forum, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, told newsmen in Enugu that the measure became necessary to reduce the already created tension in the region.

The group regretted how conflicting orders of the governors and the masterminds of the sit-at-home had adversely affected the region, especially students writing external examinations.

The group submitted that, “The region cannot afford to lose out on its economic viability, which largely depends on the internally generated revenues in the face of present economic crises.

“Continued compliance with the sit-at-home order will further stifle life out of the region’s economy. What is even more worrisome is the fact that the collapse of economic activities on Mondays is gradually being extended to other days of the week.

“This is a terrible development and a threat that might lead to complete collapse of economic activities in our region if nothing be done to stem the tide.”
It bemoaned the seeming lack of confidence in the governors by the populace. According to it, “Is the sit-at-home instruction by the proscribed IPOB group more powerful than the go-to-work order by constituted authorities of the five states in the region?

“This indeed is suggestive of a leadership gap in the Southeast and necessity is laid on the Southeast governors to demonstrate to us that there is no parallel government in the zone.

“The level of low compliance to the governors’ directives despite threats confirms that a psychological operation to win back the hearts and confidence of the people will be far more reaching.

“Dialogue and possibly impressing on the federal government to consider amnesty for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB members in various cells across the country should be esteemed as an option.”