Declare state of emergency in southeast – Joe Igbokwe says following Chike Akunyili’s death

A chieftain of the All Professional Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe has urged the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency in the southeast region.

Igbokwe, who is the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage and Water Resources, criticised the South-East leaders for turning blind eye to the ugly situation going on in the region. 

He called for this after the gruesome murder of Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof. Dora Akunyili, the former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

Late Chike Akunyili was killed by unknown gunmen on his way from Onitsha to Umuoji at Afor Nkpor in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State.

According to reports, he had on Tuesday attended a lecture at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, organized by the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch, in honour of his late wife.

Taking to his Facebook on Wednesday, Igbokwe wrote, “Since governors and our leaders in the South-East are now deaf and dumb; let me say it with all the emphasis in my command that FG should declare a state of emergency in the SE.

Also Read: IPOB denies involvement in Akunyili’s death

Some quarters have pointed accusing fingers at the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia, Eastern Security Network (ESN). 

But IPOB in a statement on Wednesday denied being responsible for the murder. 

Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson said the group has no issues with Akunyili and does not know him, adding that those behind his murder should stop using the name of the group.

The proscribed group alleged that the killings in Anambra are “pure political assassination”, designed to paint IPOB bad in the face of its supporters.

“We, the great family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukkwu Kanu, wish to dissociate ourselves from the senseless killing of innocent citizens in Anambra state,” the statement reads.

“We have no hands in the political killings going on in Biafra land. We have, on several occasions, raised the alarm that some cruel politicians are hiding under the cloak of the situation in Biafra land to eliminate their political enemies and blame it on IPOB.

“We don’t know why wicked politicians especially in Imo and Anambra States will choose to slaughter their opponents and turn around and point accusing fingers at IPOB or the operatives of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“Politicians should leave us alone and settle their scores. No IPOB member or ESN operative is involved in such barbarity. We have no interest in zoo politics. Restoration of Biafra is our mandate!”

Dora Akunyili, a former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), died in an Indian hospital on June 7, 2014, at the age of 57 after a prolonged ailment. 

She was the Director-General of NAFDAC from 2001 to 2008.

Chike and his late wife had six children.