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Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has hinted that his administration is talking with secessionist leaders with a view of finding solutions to the insecurity in the state.
Answering questions from correspondents after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja Wednesday, he was, however, reluctant to disclose what manner of discussions were being held or with whom.
Speaking in parables, he affirmed that not all talks could be undertaken openly.
Asked whether there was any negotiation with the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), he responded: “The management of crime can be likened to the relationship between husband and wife. It’s not everything they do to keep peace that are discussed at the sitting room.
“Discussion in the bedroom produces better result than the one in the living room. Take it. I think I’ve spoken.”
The governor said that the sit-at-home order by IPOB has be politicized, saying that the opposition raises false alarm about people being killed just to cause confusion.
He stated: “The sit-at-home order is also being politicized because those issuing the order are faceless. We’ve not seen either through newspapers or through broadcast order directing people to sit at home.
“Rather, what we know that is happening is this paparazzi mentality of trying to put fear into our people and make innocent people vulnerable.
“As I speak to you, the sit-at-home order is not being obeyed in Imo state.”
He said apart from last Monday when according to him there was restriction of movement as a result of the Izombe killings in the state, the people have been going about their normal businesses.
According to him, “So, I think we need to support the uninformed so that they don’t out of fear commit suicide.
“So, the truth of the matter is that we have security challenges, we had misunderstanding, disagreement, but we are able to also do a lot to bring these things to barest minimum.
“So, the security situation in Imo state is relatively ok and people are going about their businesses.
“The only regret is that we have invested a lot of money trying to manage insecurity which of course was not expected.”
The governor said he was at the presidential villa to thank President Buhari for his recent visit to the state where he commissioned some projects implemented by the present administration.
