The call by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to citizens of South-East region to defend themselves has been described as cowardice.
This is coming from Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of Biafra Independence Movement (BIM).
Ohanaeze, the socio-cultural group representing the people of the Igbo predominantly area had urged those from the geo-political zone living outside the region to defend themselves from any form of attack.
The call followed the 30-day ultimatum by Northern youth groups to unleash mayhem on those whose state governors rejected the implementation of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) for herdsmen of the Fulani extraction in their domain.
Kicking against the call for defense, Uwazuruike described Ohanaeze and state governors from the region as the problem of the people.
In a video seen by TODAY POLITICS, the secessionist leader, whose group seeks the dissolution of Nigeria, said the people need to be armed before an order for defense is made.
He spoke in Igbo language while relaxing in a conducive environment, urging his kinsmen not to heed the call for self defense.
“Defend yourselves is an act of cowardice,” he interjectly said in English, adding that, “I mean…I don’t know how to describe it…as in what?”
Uwazuruike who described the youth groups that issued the threat as kids said consultations with stakeholders must be made before the call of such magnitude from Ohanaeze is made.
The founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) urged Ohanaeze to learn from other ethnic groups and stop disgracing and installing fears in the minds of the Igbos residing in other parts of the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the implementation of the initiative as the permanent solution to farmers and herders clashes.
Mr Buhari later suspended the project said to be optional, due to its rejection in the South despite interested states welcoming it in the North. This further fuelled speculations that the government is on a land grabbing mission for herdsmen from the Fulani extraction.
