IWA condemns marginalisation, militarisation of S’East region
Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), a socio-cultural group has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop political marginalisation and militarisation of the South-East geo political zone of the country..
The group comprising women from different parts of Igbo land also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release all political detainees including the Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief Frederick Nwajiuba
The National President of IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, made the appeal in Enugu during a press conference on “The State of South-East, Ndi Igbo and Recent National Developments. ‘
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Chimezie noted that it was clear to political watchers that the people of the South-East had been pushed out of the mainstream of national politics.
She said that for equity and justice to reign all regions and sections of the country must be fully represented in national politics
According to her, another issue was the militarisation of the South-East even when we are not in a state of war as you can hardly drive between five and 10 minutes in major roads without encountering a military checkpoint.
She said: “It is pathetic that these multiple checkpoints have started working against the progress of the region as vehicles spend long time on queues and in some checkpoints commuters are meant to alight and trek a distance before rejoining their vehicles.
“While in some checkpoints you see activities of extortion taking place, which further delays those vehicles on the queue.
“We are demanding the immediate removal of military checkpoints in South-East and replacing them with fewer police checkpoints to ensure traffic flow.”
The IWA president decried the manner in which the people of the region are treated during national programmes and events especially threat and physical assault melted on them during the last General Election.
According to her; “We are witnesses and with recorded evidences how due to divergent political views or alignment by the people of South-East, the likes of M.C. Oluomo and group threatened and physically assaulted our people.
“And the current “Igbo-Must-Go” calls by some unpatriotic elements in Lagos State and the way the Federal Government is treating such issue with kid gloves and levity.”
She noted that the call on the release of all political detainees was predicted on the fact that some people from other regions, who have either done or said worst things were not incarcerated but treated lightly..
