By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA—AHEAD of the forthcoming National Census, the South-East Caucus of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, the umbrella body of all registered political parties in the country, has called on all eligible South-easterners to come home and be counted during the census, saying it would help to ascertain the true population of the Igbo.

South-East IPAC also called on the Federal Government to unconditionally release the detained leader of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu,  in obedience to court orders “to show a genuine demonstration of ‘change’ agenda of the Buhari administration.”

Rising from a two-day retreat held in Umuahia, South East IPAC condemned “the frequent and indiscriminate shootings and killings of innocent IPOB/MASSOB and unarmed protesters by security agencies who maintain a lackadaisical indifference in handling the armed and murderous Fulani herdsmen.”

In a 10-point communiqué issued after the retreat, the caucus condemned “the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in our communities and call on the Federal Government to demonstrate a sincere commitment to eradication of this menace to erase the perception of bias and injustice.”

Signed jointly by the Chairman of the Caucus and Abia State Chairman of IPAC, Prince Emeka Okafor and IPAC chairmen in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, the communiqué further called for the practice of true federalism in Nigeria by amending the constitution to devolve more powers to the States and give them more control over natural and human resources located in there, saying that such would make the states more viable and productive.

According to the communiqué, full participation of all eligible people from the South East in the coming census would truly ascertain the actual population and strength of Ndigbo who are scattered all over the country.

The communiqué also called “on South East governments to work urgently towards creating a conducive environment for living, industry, investment, tourism and trade, including the full establishment and functioning of the South East Nigeria Economic Commission which will facilitate integration, harmonization and cohesiveness of infrastructure and economic development of the South East Nigeria”.

It also called “on all South Easterners in various parts of the world to urgently invest their resources in the South East for the purpose of building a strong regional economy”.

Lamenting the continued incarceration of the IPOB leader, the group called “for the unconditional release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu in compliance with the court order and also to show a genuine demonstration of the ‘change’ agenda of the Federal Government”.

“We condemn the frequent and indiscriminate shootings and killings of innocent IPOB/MASSOB and unarmed protesters by the security agencies and maintain a lackadaisical indifference in handling armed and murderous Fulani herdsmen.

“IPAC South East associates herself with the fight against corruption by the present administration and equally commended the release of funds for the purpose of payment of salaries and pensions”, the Caucus further said.

The group also resolved to organize an action submit to for South East economic and political integration and development and commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for his “effort to build quality local and regional infrastructure and his encouragement for regional and inter-party and governmental cooperation for South East development”.