The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige has declared that the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) can not attack him inspite of the directive issued by the national leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu to attack any Igbo leaders outside the country.
While reacting to how the former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu was assaulted and molested by members of the secessionist group in Germany in August, the minister made the declaration,
At a function in Obosi, Anambra state, Ngige disclosed that the recent threat issued by IPOB members to attack politicians of the South-East geopolitical zone if they were seen anywhere outside the country is not in anyway directed to him.
He said that he has once protected IPOB members and their interests when he was the governor of Anambra state.
“IPOB was registered by the late President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife and other Igbos as a non-violent group. What is going on now in the group is not part of the work plan . I visited the United States of America recently, and I was welcomed by IPOB members, he disclosed.
“They knew I fed and protected them when I was in office as governor. I have said it several times that Biafra cannot be achieved the IPOB way. The Igbo should stop shouting marginalisation. They should stand up and assert themselves to be counted. Nigeria belongs to all of us. Equity favours the Igbo to produce the next president of the country, but they must work hard and position themselves for it.
“We should stop political sentiments. Politicians don’t give power based on sentiment and emotion. President Muhammadu Buhari has said he is favourable to an Igbo president. We must support him and associate with the APC. Nobody will give you president of Nigeria in your bedroom.” he said
