Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has dismissed separatist agitations by some persons in the south east, saying he does not believe in separation.
The IPOB under the leadership of detained Nnamdi Kanu had been championing a separatist agitation for the nation of Biafra, an agitation that has resulted in insecurity in the south east with attendant socio-economic losses.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Soludo called for dialogue on the future of the Igbo people, saying he does not subscribe to separatist views or agitation for an independent Igbo nation.
“For me, I believe very strongly that the agitation thing and the position of a separatist view of Igbo land. For me, as a full-blooded Igbo man, I don’t believe that.
“But I want us to have a conversation, I have said why I need Nnamdi Kanu to come and sit with everybody else because nobody has better rights than the other.
”We are all Igbos and are all entitled to our views, and those of them who want us out of Nigeria, we will all sit in a room and debate it: are we served better being out of Nigeria or within Nigeria? I am of the view that the Igbo man needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs the Igbo man. I am of the view that the Igbo man needs Africa and Africa needs the Igbo man, and I am of the view that the Igbo man needs the world,” he said
Soludo who scored himself on governance of the state, said the Igbo people have historically been known as itinerant, hardworking, and tolerant.
“We are in everybody’s village, an itinerant people. That’s my view for those who are going on a failed protest. I am the governor of a state, and mine is to govern,” the governor said.
He expressed optimism that Kanu will eventually regain his freedom.
“When Nnamdi Kanu comes out, thus we believe, ultimately he will come out, and when he comes out, we will all sit down at a round table and interrogate our alternative visions for Igbo land.
“My vision is that we should build a liveable and prosperous homeland so that, as itinerant people, wherever you go and don’t find comfort, you have a liveable and prosperous homeland to return to,” he said.