Governors and elders of the South East Geo-Political Zone have resolved to set up a committee to dialogue with members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the federal government with a view to finding a lasting solution to the agitations by the pro-Biafran groups.

The resolution of the governors and the elders followed on-going agitations by IPOB, MASSOB and other groups for the release of the director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kalu and realisation of Biafra Republic.

In a communique issued at the end of their one day meeting held yesterday at Government House, Enugu, the South East governors and elders also resolved to set up a committee to immediately address the impasse on Ohanaeze leadership.

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, who read the communique, disclosed that the elders also examined other issues including poor state of infrastructural facilities in the South East, marginalisation in the federal appointments and other socio-economic issues that impact on the economic development of the South East and resolved to support the decision of the South East governors to set up an Economic Committee.

According to him, the Economic Committee would interface with the federal government on remedial measures.

The Imo State governor further averred that the meeting of the governors and elders of the South East also mandated a delegation of the elders of the zone to meet with the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“After a compassionate review of the recent MASSOB/IPOB agitations in the country, it was resolved that a committee be set up to dialogue with MASSOB/IPOB as well as the federal government with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issue”, the communiqué stated.

Governors of Enugu; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Imo; Rochas Okorocha, Ebonyi; Dave Umahia, and deputy governors of Abia and Anambra states attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the leadership of South East/South South Professionals met in Enugu with leaders of MASSOB and IPOB and decided that OHANAEZE should summon a meeting of Imeobi (Elders’ Council) to discuss the current situation in Igboland.

President of South/South Professionals, Emeka Ugwuoju, who spoke on behalf of the group, however advised MASSOB and IPOB to maintain peace as they have done so far.

“Ohanaeze noted the immediate demand of MASSOB and IPOB which is the release of Nnamdi Kanu. The meeting condemned the rascality of the chairman of the Anambra State Chapter of OHANAEZE in publishing a position pertaining to himself and purporting it to be Ohanaeze’s stand, since his position does qualify him to speak for Ohanaeze”, he stated.