The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi recently lied in his claim that the Eastern Security Network (ESN) was formed by governors in the south-east.
Obi said this during an interactive session organised by Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna on Monday, October 15, 2022.
According to a viral video seen by our correspondent, a member of the audience asked Obi a question saying “Why should the north trust you, when I’ve not heard you, perhaps you’ve said it somewhere but I’ve not heard you categorically condemn IPOB, Eastern Security Network (ESN) and their activities?”
In response to this, the Labour Party candidate said “You’ve not been following my campaign. The Eastern Security Network was formed by the government of eastern states. The governors formed the security team, how can I go and condemn them? I’ve spoken about sit-at-home and I can tell you there was even a place they mentioned me. Everything I say, go and verify”
False!
According to media reports, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in December 2020, formed the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He explained that the primary responsibility of the security outfit is to protect the south-east from terrorists and other criminal elements.
This was in response to cases of invasion of farmlands by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen in the region.
Kanu likened the outfit to Amotekun in the Southwest and Miyetti-Allah in the northern region.
Conclusion
Southeast governors did not form ESN. They only established a joint security outfit codenamed Ebube Agu, “to tackle insecurity in the region in 2021.
Therefore, Obi’s claim that ESN was formed by eastern governors is FALSE!
Written by Adeniyi Akanni
