Ex-governor Emeka Ihedioha
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has criticized Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo state for allegedly intimidating and humiliating the people of the Umuekwune community in the Ngor-Okpala local government area of the state over their ancestral land.
IPOB alleged that Ihedioha is fighting to forcefully take over some parts of the Umuekwune community land for Fulani herders to establish RUGA.
The group maintained that Ihedioha intends to use the land as political compensation to secure the government’s support for his governorship ambition.
IPOB warned Ihedioha to drop the alleged plan and also withdraw his court case with the community over the said land or be ready to face the consequences.
Ruga is a Fulani word for human settlement, and can also pass as the acronym for "rural grazing area."
Ruga was proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to resolve the incessant conflict between nomadic Fulani herdsmen and sedentary farmers but was widely rejected in Southern Nigeria.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it “condemns in strong terms the reckless action of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha over the intimidation and humiliation of the good people of Umuekwune Community in Ngor Okpala.”
“It is pathetic that Emeka Ihedioha can only use his powers and connections as given to him by the zoo government to intimidate the people of Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala over their ancestral land. He wants to give it as a gift to terrorist Fulani herdsmen for political compensation.
“It is an affront for Emeka Ihedioha dragging the entire Umuekwune community to court over a landed property after converting an NDDC supposed project for the Umuekwune community to his farm in the same community that he can manipulate justice in his favor.
“We are aware that Emeka Ihedioha plans to dubiously get the ancestral community land and later give it to his Fulani masters for RUGA in exchange for political support for the Imo state governorship position.”
“IPOB won't allow him to do such. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, you have only one option; that is to withdraw the case from the court and go and settle the matter traditionally with your mother's people before the good people of Ngor-Okpala declare you an abominable grandchild.”
“Stop humiliating the communities because you have power. Leave the ancestral community land to the owners. If you don't, it will destroy you politically and any political party that identifies with you in the coming elections should be ready to accept whatever comes their way before, during, and after the elections,” IPOB said.
Politics and Opinion