Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Sunday evening met with the SouthEast Governors, the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, and selected Igbo delegate residing in Rivers State.
The aim of the meeting, which comes in the wake of the violent activities in Oyigbo Local Government Area, is to promote the peaceful co-existence of all ethnic groups as well as hear if any, the challenges faced by Igbos residing in the state.
Convened at the instance of the governors of the SouthEast, the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the clergy, women and other concerned groups, the meeting with Governor Wike was to ascertain whether the stories making the rounds on the social media about Igbos being singled out for attack in Rivers State is true.
This follows the recent violent attack by members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who had destroyed property and killed six soldiers and four policemen in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
Speaking on behalf of Igbos resident in the state, the Eze Ndigbo, Rivers and Bayelsa States Maduagu Adiele, said that the stories are false, hinting that the Igbos have a very robust relationship with the Wike administration.
The Rivers State Governor said that the state would continue to be home to all ethnic groups. He noted that the rumours being peddled around that he is chasing the Igbos out of the state are the handiwork of those fanning the embers of disunity.
With the true situation of things now established, Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, and the President General of Ohanaeze Indigbo, John Nwodo, both want the Igbos to be weary of the dangerous intentions of the IPOB.
A former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, applauded the Igbo leaders for the peace initiative, saying that peace remains a critical ingredient in governance.