I’m not against you, Obiano tells IPOB, MASSOB

The Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, on Thursday denied allegation that he invited the Nigerian Army under the guise of Operation Python Dance to diminish the struggle of the pro-Biafra agitators.
Speaking through his commissioner for Information and communication Strategy, Mr Tony Nnacheta, the governor said “I have no issues with IPOB, MASSOB or anybody else”.
IPOB had in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said it would hold the south east governors responsible should anything happen to any of its members from the arrangement.
It said the Federal Government and the Nigeria Army could not have deployed its weapons in parts of south east without the consent of the state governors.”
The statement partly read “The governors of Anambra, Imo and Abia are now together with their counterparts in Enugu and Ebonyi States to kill their kit and kin.
“We are going to hold you people (south east governors) responsible if anything happens to any person here.”
But Obiano in the press briefing said he had no hands in the inauguration of operation python dance.

He said “ The on-going exercise python dance by the Nigerian Army in the South East has been misinterpreted by some persons as an exercise designed to inconvenience the Igbo and in particular Anambra people.
“Exercise python dance is a routine military exercise by the Nigerian Army in the south east of Nigeria, not only Anambra state.
“Similar exercises have taken place in other geopolitical zones of the country without any incidents or controversy, Niger Delta and the North west being most recent, weeks ago.
“It is mischievously propagated by some quarters as a terrible Christmas gift to our people.
“Govenor Obiano’s statement on the exercise has been distorted by malicious persons on the social media. The government and people of Anambra state are appalled at these nefarious efforts and condemned it emphatically.
“It is incorrect for some persons to suggest that Anambra state is at war or loggerheads with any sect, persons or organizations on account of the ongoing Military training exercise, Obiano stated.

Tony Okafor, Awka