Governors of South-East geo-political zone (Igboland) have vowed to resist any attempt to revive the Republic of Biafra declared by late Igbo Leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu in 1967 and sustained till the surrender to federal forces in 1970.

The governors made their position known as they rose from their meeting yesterday in Enugu, condemning the June 5 attempt by pro-Biafran movement, Biafran Zionist Federation (BZF), to declare Biafra in the area.

Expressing disgust at the attempt, which they noted was BZM’s second after an earlier failed bid to hoist Biafran flag at the Enugu Government House, the governors said they would stop at nothing in ensuring the protection of lives and property.

They condemned the invasion of the Enugu State Broadcasting Corporation (ESBS) by the group, vowing not to allow the Benjamin Onwuka-led group to continue to undermine security in the zone, but would rather collaborate with other zones across the country to provide security.

Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, made the position of the governors known, saying: “We condemned the attempt by the so called Biafra Zionist Federation, led by one Benjamin Igwe Onwuka, who earlier attempted to gain entry into government house, for the purpose of hoisting their flag, and for invading the ESBS on Thursday, June 5, in an attempt to take over the media house and declare the ‘State of Biafra’.”

The governors also expressed shock at the death of former minister for information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, and prayed God to grant her soul eternal rest.

The governors said they support the position of the delegates from the zone for extension of duration for the ongoing National Conference.

They promised to participate in the burial of the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and sent condolences to the family.

The governors equally commiserated with the people of Kano State on the death of Emir Ado Bayero but feigned ignorance of emergence of a new emir of Kano.

Present at the meeting were Theordore Orji (Abia), Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), as well as deputy governors Eze Madumere (Imo) and Nkem Okeke (Anambra).

•Pieced together from reports in The Guardian and National Mirror.

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