The Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, yesterday said that his administration had no issues with secession groups in the state.
He said agitation by pro-Biafra groups was not a problem, insisting that the concern of the state government was to make the State conducive for investors.
Obiano spoke through his commissioner for information and communications strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta at a news conference in Awka, where the Governor also denied the allegation that he instigated the Operation Python Dance military exercise to stop activities of the agitators.
In a statement by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, during the week, through its Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group said they would hold the South East governors responsible if anything happens to anybody in the zone, adding that the Federal Government and the Nigeria Army could not have deployed weapons in all parts of South East without the consent of the state governors.
But Obiano said , “It is incorrect for some persons to suggest that Anambra State is at war or loggerheads with any sect, persons or organizations on account of the ongoing military training exercise. Rather, the officers and men of the Nigerian Army are enjoined to discharge their duties with courtesy, thereby earning the respect of our people in the entire Southeast.
“We are informed that an elaborate civil –military cooperation line of operation has been planned during the exercise. The Anambra State government will at all times ensure that the rights and comfort of our people, which are non-negotiable, are respected by all and sundry.
“The on-going exercise by the Nigerian Army in the South East is being misinterpreted by some persons as an exercise designed to inconvenience the Igbo and in particular Anambra people.
“Exercise Python Dance is a routine military exercise by the Nigerian Army in the South East of Nigeria and not only in Anambra state.
“Similar exercises had also taken place in other geopolitical zones of the country without any incident or controversy.”
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