The Ndi-Igbo Peace Movement (NPM) has condemned the incessant harassment and intimidation of Igbo leaders by the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
This was contained in a statement issued by the group in Owerri in Imo State on Wednesday.
The statement was signed by the President General and Secretary-General of NPM, Dede Uzor A Uzor and Chief Evans Ebirim.
“We maintain that the continuous case of intimidation of Igbo leaders should stop since Ndi-Igbo had not benefited anything from their election of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“And now, he is using governmental agencies to harass prominent Igbo sons.
“It is sad that what played up during former President Olusegun Obasanjo is now replayed to the detriment of Ndi-Igbo especially Igbo leaders that speak out against under development and neglect of the region,โโ it said.
The statement condemned the recent arrest and incarceration of the Imo State Commissioner for Finance and two other commissioners; adding that their continuously detained is totally unacceptable.
“As well as the recent arrest and harassment of Chief Ifeanyi Uba by EFCC is condemnable; since his track-down would be unconnected to his declared interest to vie for the Anambra governorship seat,โโ it said.
It called on Federal Government to go after past leaders, who looted billions from the nationโs treasury, and yet they are walking about the streets of the country without any form of harassment to them and their cronies.
In a related development, NPM want Federal Government to fulfill its promise of building the 2nd Niger Bridge , which Mr President assured would commence in the first quarter (March 2013).
“While the minister for works should be sacked for non performance and telling Ndi-Igbo lies about the 2nd Niger Bridge commencement.
“It seems that the minister is using the bridge for politics as it was used during the Obasanjo era. The minister is the worst and dismally performed ministersโ of works in the history of the country,โโ NPM noted.