The governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) may have some valid grievances that should be addressed squarely. 

Mr Ikpeazu, one of the five South Eastern governors who launched a regional security outfit Ebube Agu following attacks on police headquarters and a correctional center in Imo State last week, listed “injustice” and “marginalisation” as some of the valid reasons behind IPOB agitation for secession which most be “addressed” squarely. 

“I have taken my time to listen to some of these issues raised by IPOB: issues about injustice, issues of marginalisation, issues of trust deficits within the polity called Nigeria as it concerns people from south-eastern Nigeria,” Mr Ikpeazu told Arise TV on Tuesday. “And I think some of those are valid issues and they should be addressed and spoken to; they should be addressed squarely. So that everybody and those of us that are in government today can have a foothold within the South-East region to continue to promote the unity of Nigeria.”

Mr Ikpeazu further said though some of the grievances of IPOB are valid issues that should be addressed, he does not agree with the strategy of the group. 

“I do not subscribe to the strategy of IPOB in pursuing their goals. And the reason is because I’m yet to see the end of the tunnel from where I’m standing and I do not like to take a plunge in the dark,” Mr Ikpeazu said. 

President Muhammadu Buhari government proscribed IPOB in 2017. Though suspected to be behind the Imo jailbreak that led to escape of over 1, 800 inmates, the group has dissociated itself from the jailbreak.