The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has described as a betrayal of the Igbo race, move by Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, to back out of the collective decision of southern governors to ban open grazing in their respective states.
Chairman of the Media and Publicity Bureau of ADF, Mr. Abia Onyike, noted in a statement that Uzodinma, by his action, has unwittingly renounced his membership of the Igbo race, “an act which, within the context of Igbo culture and tradition, is a sacrilege.”
The group, therefore, advised the governor to perform spiritual contrition before he could be seen as a normal member of the Igbo race.
The anti-open grazing law, according to the group, is the most focal law in Igbo land today, stressing that it is needed and intended to protect the Igbo race and safeguard their ancestral lands.
The group added: “So, for any Igbo governor or person for that matter to renounce the anti-open grazing law is a pointer that he subscribes to the wiping out of the Igbo race from existence.
“One of his lawyers has publicly acknowledged that there was an anti-open grazing law in Imo State, passed by the State House of Assembly during the tenure of former Governor Achike Udenwa, one of the predecessors of Gov. Hope Uzodinma. Thus, what Gov. Uzodinma has done is to renounce an existing law made in the interest of the people. This is an impeachable offence.
“Whether the present Imo State legislature takes action to preserve the constitutional order in Imo State or not, the state cannot claim to have a legitimate executive governor in the present circumstances.
“May the Almighty God protect and preserve the people of Imo State and return a constitutional order to their besieged State.”