MASSOB and theIndigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and their agitation and activities for
the actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra. Addressing newsmen yesterday in Onitsha the traders through a statement signed by Chief Okwudili Ezenwanko and Honourable Temple Udeh,President General and Secretary General respectively, of SEAMATA, said they are constrained to react to
the continuous calls for the closure of business in south east in protest and solidarity
for actualization of Biafra agitators.
The news conference by the traders was attended by Chief Christian Nwabuani, Vice President, Abia
state, Peter Obah, Financial Secretary, Ebonyi state, Elder Martin Inuozor, Treasurer, Imo State, Austin Onyia assistant Public Relations Officer, from Enugu State, including other officials from the five South East states of the zone.
SEAMATA said “the difficulties and hardship which the traders inparticular and residents in general suffer during these protests has made the traders to direct that we react to the situation and development which is adversely affecting them”.
“The traders in the zone are therefore, disassociating themselves jointly and severally from the activities of these agitators, the invasion of markets and other business outfits and the destruction of private property of individuals like shops and vehicles in the name of pro Biafra protest is not only condemnable but also unacceptable.
“We are yet to understand the wisdom in the protest where the properties and other valuables belonging to Igbos are either vandalized or destroyed by fellow Igbos in the name of Pro Biafra protest, when the hardship which the Igbos that relocated from North East in the wake of BokoHaram insurgency are passing through is still staring on our faces, and the agitators are calling on others doing their normal business in other parts of Nigeria to come back to South East" Said SEAMATA.
SEAMATA however, declared their support and the South East traders support for President Muhammadu Buhari, promising that they will not support any action that will aggravate the hardship already being experienced by the Igbos.
“The traders in the zone are earnestly requesting Mr. President to address as a matter of urgency, the dilapidated Federal infrastructures in South East, especially, the Federal roads that are in the worst state of disrepair.
“The roads includes but not limited to Enugu Onitsha Expressway, Enugu Abakaliki Expressway,
Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway, Aba Owerri Road and Owerri Port Harcourt Road, all these
roads have all become death traps and armed robbers den where they wait and rob road
users,” said SEAMATA.
The traders also declared support for the new administrations anti corruption war, urging all
Nigerians to support President Buhari in the
war against corruption, while they urged all
the agitators of Biafra actualization to
join hands with the President in resolving the
numerous economic problems in thecountry.
