David Umahi, the chairman of South-East Governors Forum has described the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) as a powerless group.
Mr Umahi made the remarks while addressing State House Correspondents at the presidential villa Thursday.
The secessionist group had recently written to state governors on what must be done if the forum wants peace to reign between them and the proscribed group.
Clamouring for the restoration of the defunct Biafra Republic, the secessionist group led by Nnamdi Kanu, said its members residing outside the country has been ordered to attack political leaders of the Igbo predominantly area.
The order came after Ike Ekweremadu, a former deputy Senate President, was assaulted in Germany, last month, by suspected members of IPOB.
Among its condition for peace are the lifting of the proscription of the group and an apology from the governors, this Mr Umahi has said they will never get.
“We have no apology for IPOB because we did not proscribe them,” the chairman of the forum said after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Yes, we are the leaders of the people and we had to speak against their activities.
“IPOB has no powers to place a travel ban on governors or anyone.
“I will even tell IPOB any time I intend to travel,” he added.
The governor spoke on other issues he discussed with Buhari during the meeting, revealing that he thanked the president for the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for urgent repairs, but demanded that this be done with emergency fund intervention, which would be it faster than relying on budgetary provisions.
He described his discussion with Buhari as useful while he asked his support for the reactivation and the eventual passage of the South East Development Commission bill in the National Assembly.
