The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed anger over Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma’s decision to jettison the resolution of Southern Governors on open grazing.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that the Governors had not only announced an outright ban of open grazing in the region but set September 2021, as the deadline for its total implementation.
Most of the states have already enacted laws giving legal backing to the decision.
However, Uzodinma, who has always avoided the meeting of the governors, has now come out to say that Imo State would not pass such a law.
This did not go down well with Ohanaeze as the group has declared that with the decision, Uzodinma has attracted scourge of hatred, plagues, and curses on his government.
Ohanaeze said Ndigbo would declare him the number one enemy of Ndigbo.
This was contained in a statement on Friday by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He said, “Our suspicion had been reinforced with the continued absence of Governor Hope Uzodinma in the meetings of Southern Governors in Asaba and Lagos, which was intentional and premeditated to ambush the resolutions of the Southern Governors, and he will never escape the venom of Ndigbo.
“He will surely taste the retribution of God and wrath of the people as a confirmed saboteur and this will serve as a warning to any Igbo Governor that will follow such decision. Such person will never escape the venomous actions of the people.”
Ohanaeze advised Governor Uzodinma “to show repentance and rescind as he cannot afford to face the consequences of this decision.
“Uzodinma is now the tool our detractors is using to destabilize Southern Nigeria. If he continues, he will be excommunicated from any Igbo gathering and ceremonies from 1st September 2021.”
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze said its findings showed that Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State is still in tune with the open grazing ban and has not embraced any form of cattle ranching.