The World Igbo National Union (WINU), a pan-Igbo organization committed to the peace, progress, and development of Igbo land, has strongly condemned Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo over remarks he made during a recent speech in Maryland, USA, where he allegedly claimed that “99.9% of armed criminals illegally occupying our forests are Igbos.”
In a press statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ifeanyi Uwakwa, WINU described the governor’s comment as “irresponsible, unfounded, and politically motivated,” calling for either verifiable evidence or a public apology.
“It is surprising that the Anambra State governor would deliberately stand outside the home shores of Igbo land to make such a bogus and flattering claim,” the statement read.
“Governor Soludo made such a statement without substantiating it. It is an irresponsible speech without evidence to show. We categorically say that the assertion is really irresponsible and condemnable coming from someone of his educational standard.”
The group accused Governor Soludo of making the comments to “appease his political sponsors, President Tinubu, Fulani herdsmen and other dubious, corrupt elements in Nigeria,” rather than speaking in the interest of his people.
WINU noted that local and international reports have consistently identified armed Fulani herdsmen, often wielding sophisticated firearms, as being responsible for numerous attacks and illegal occupations of farmlands and forests across the Southeast.
“These Fulani Islamic foot soldiers are in our land with a mission to establish a beachhead in Igbo areas. They are not forest dwellers by nature,” the statement continued. “Governor Soludo’s assertion is a case without merit and should be verifiable with technology.”
The group also took issue with Soludo’s alleged failure to tackle the real sources of insecurity in Anambra, accusing him of ignoring attacks in communities like Mgbakwu, Igboariam, Umueri, Umunze, Ogbunka, and Amansea, where Fulani herdsmen have reportedly wreaked havoc.
“Why is the governor covering up atrocities of these Fulani terrorist herdsmen in Igbo land and accusing the victims to be the terrorists? The framing of victims as perpetrators is a shameful tactic and must cease,” WINU declared.
Citing examples from Abia State, WINU urged Soludo to emulate his counterpart’s zero-tolerance policy against armed groups and to distance himself from political actors allegedly pushing for controversial policies such as RUGA settlements.
The group further alleged that political militant outfits like Ndi Aka Odo and Ndi Udo Ga Chi, allegedly affiliated with the governor, also contribute to instability in the state.
“We stand united in our call for truth, accountability, and the protection of our land and people from all forms of violence and incursion,” the statement concluded.
“We urge Governor Soludo to align himself with the aspirations of the Igbo people rather than the interests of any external political actors.”
