Umahi resigns as South East security committee chairman

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

The Chairman, South East Security Committee, Major General Obi Umahi (retd), has resigned his appointment over poor funding of the committee.

Umahi’s resignation was contained in a letter dated June 4 and addressed to the Chairman, South East Governors Forum (SGF) and copied to the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor.

Part of the letter reads: “Since this Security Committee was formed, we deliberated and agreed on ways to raise security consciousness down to the community level in Igbo land, mode of operations, logistics and some types of equipment required, such as drones, vehicles etc. We also crafted the Concept of South East Security.

“Additionally, I chaired a 21-man committee set up to draft a legal framework for the South East Security outfit. The committee was composed of members of the South East Security Committee, the Attorney Generals of the five southeast states and some prominent Igbo sons and daughters. The 21-man Legal Framework Committee was funded to completion by the Governor of Ebonyi State.

“On April 11, 2021, South East Governors announced the formation of Ebubeagu at Owerri. Subsequently, the draft legal framework produced by the 21-man committee was reviewed by South East Security Committee members and the Attorney Generals of the five Southeast states to suit South East Ebubeagu security outfit.

“The South East Security Committee thoroughly prepared and submitted the modalities, including the structure, for the take-off of Ebubeagu to the Governors’ Forum during their meeting, attended by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and some other Igbo leaders and a request that Ebubeagu should be jointly rolled out as a matter of urgency and also funded by the government of the five South East States.

“From inception to date, the South East Security Committee was never funded at all in any capacity and not even an office space was provided.

“At this juncture that Ebubeagu will soon come fully on-stream, I respectfully request that Your Excellencies kindly permit me to resign my appointment as the chairman, South East Security Committee.

“In the spirit of my love to serve Ndigbo, I can assure you that I will always be available to advice on the success of Ebubeagu at no cost, just as I served as the Chairman of South East Security Committee from August 31, 2019, till date at no cost directly or indirectly to the five South East state government, groups and individual.

“I highly appreciate Your Excellencies for the opportunity you gave me to serve Ndigbo. Please be assured of my loyalty, respect and accept my highest regards of your esteemed considerations.”