Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi said the people of the Southeast region of the country still prefer to be a part of Nigeria contrary to secessionist agitations by some groups in the area.
Governor Umahi who is also the chairman of the southeast governors forum says all the people of the region desire is a country where justice and equity shall prevail.
But he insists the agitation by groups like MASSOB, IPOB and the ESN are the result of years of neglect the southeast was made to endure.
The governor condemned the increased violence that threatens the safety of lives and property and also the targeted attacks on law enforcement officers and government facilities.
He says the legitimate agitations by ethnic pressure groups in the region have been hijacked by bandits.
Governor Umahi told state house correspondents in Abuja that anyone opposed to the ban on Open grazing wants the killings and devastation to continue.