‘It is waging war against Ndigbo’ — VON DG asks IPOB to reconsider lockdown order on south-east

Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu has asked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to reconsider its decision of placing the south-east zone on lockdown every Monday, till their leader, Nnamdi Kanu is released from DSS custody.  

Recall that the proscribed group had vowed to go on with the lockdown threats from August 9, if their leader is not released on or before August 8. IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful had said that the lockdown will also affect schools and marketplaces. 

Reacting to this in a statement released on Sunday August 1, Okechukwu asked the group not to “cut off Ndigbo’s nose to spite Buhari’s face”. He said it is waging war against Ndigbo

The statement read;  “Let me for the umpteenth time appeal to my brothers in IPOB to sheath their sword, for to lockdown the South-East is simply waging atrocious war against Ndigbo. Accordingly, it will be very big error for IPOB to lockdown the South-East and think they are tough, strategic and will achieve any meaningful result, capital NO.

“IPOB should not cut off Ndigbo’s nose to spite Buhari’s face, for Buhari is compensating with infrastructure. Appointments are transient, and infrastructure is permanent. The Standard Gauge Railroads which will soon cover the entire South-East will demonstrate the efficacy of infrastructure. IPOB, hold on please.

“Hence, IPOB should be aware that to lock down South-East is nothing but to punish Ndigbo; to degrade against Ndigbo, South-East economy, to starve Ndigbo and akin to the obnoxious civil war doctrine of hunger as the best weapon. “My brothers of IPOB clan, put on your thinking cap and be pragmatic, introspect and remember our brothers and sisters who are living in all the towns and villages nationwide, doing well and investing happily and prospering with other ethnic nationalities.”