A Legal Practitioner, Mr. Goddy Uwazurike says that the recent pronouncement of Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu on the military’s withdrawal of troops cannot change the decisions of the military.
Uwazurike, who is a former president of an Igbo think group, Aka Ikenga, made this known as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
He said, “Despite a meeting between the two parties over the issue, the army had already made up its mind to stay, the governor’s announcement cannot alter the army’s decision.”
Explaining further, he added, “There is no miscommunication (between the military authorities and the state governor). Operation Python Dance or Egwu Eke as they want to put it is a very clever ploy by some people to destabilise Abia state, for just one purpose – to declare a State of Emergency.
“Remove the governor for a time, put a military man there and before they know it, the military man as governor will simply go and crush the young people. So there is no miscommunication.
“The governor maybe misfiling what is going on, they had an agreement but those people who brought those soldiers know what they are doing.”
Although Mr. Uwazurike admits he doesn’t have a proof to back up his claim, his speculation should not be equated to him heating up the polity.
“I am only speculating; how can I have a proof? Am I part of the military? I’m not heating up the issues. The governor made the broadcast because he believed they had an agreement. They had something they discussed and they would stick to it.”
Mr Uwazurike’s comment comes barely 24 hours after Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state announced the gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of Abia, following calls by eminent Nigerians that the troops be recalled back to the barracks.
The military, on the contrary, denied such claim, stressing that the initial Operation Python Dance would commence on Friday while charging all commanders involved to ensure it is carried out to its logical conclusion.