A former President of Aka Ikenga, an Igbo socio cultural organisation, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, has said described the current show of force in Abia State as a ploy to declare a State of Emergency in the state.

The eminent lawyer said, “It is a well known fact that IPOB members do not carry weapons and are only known for holding rallies and punching the air with a black power salute.

“If any of these two actions is a crime, then they should tell us whether the constitution of Nigeria should be obeyed. Today, the people of Abia and indeed the whole of Igboland is being provoked by the arrogant and callous display of weaponry by the Nigerian Army in a way that sane people will rightly interpret as the action of an army of occupation.

“Are we already at war? If the army is so powerful, why can't they be deployed to fight the Boko Haram in the North East or even the ubiquitous herdsmen who are ravaging the southern and middle belt parts of this country?

“This is because soldiers in a battle mood must have enemies to fight. I do hereby call on those who sent the soldiers to withdraw them as the Ohanaeze has demanded. It is a notorious fact that the Governor of Abia state has spent the last 2 years in court trying to retain his post.

“This present simulated crisis is just a ploy to impose military rule In Abia state just to have a war commander in the government house. The people are not interested in military democracy. This government should not forget that progress can only be made in a time of peace and not in wartime. War is an evil wind that blows no one any good. The arrest of Nnamdi Kanu was a mistake but his re arrest will be a disaster.

“The Federal Government has charged Nnamdi Kanu to court but it appears it now wants to take the extra judicial action of simulating a situation which will lead not only to a State of Emergency but also violence. This was what it did the Elegant Zakzaki case. I call on all men of good will to prevail on this government to learn from past governments on how to handle a civil situation. A word is enough for the wise. It is instructive to note that the last time we had this kind of scandalous action was when Gen Obasanjo invaded Odi and Zaki Ibiam.”