…Commit to one united Nigeria
The South East leaders have condemned in totality, the activities of violent secessionist groups in the region and elsewhere saying that they do not support them just as the groups do not speak for the South East.
Arising from a meeting held on Saturday, 19th June, 2021, at the Banquet Hall, Lion Building, Government House, Enugu, the leaders maintained that the impression that South East leaders were silent over some of the youths’ agitation for secession was not correct.
“South East Governors, Ohaneze President, National Assembly members, notable leader had come out publicly many times in the past to speak against such agitations. In order not to mismanage the unfortunate situation, South East leaders have set up a committee to engage such youths to stop and allow elders speak to address such fears”, they said.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to one united Nigeria under a platform of justice, equality of rights, fairness, love and respect for one another.
They further said that, “We have noted threats by some groups against our people of South East, while we firmly promise to protect everyone either from other regions or ours, we plead with the leaders of other regions to protect our people living in their regions.
“We condemn the killing of security agencies, burning of strategic infrastructure and killing of civilians in South East and other regions. We request our security agencies to please discharge their duties within the rules of engagement and the law.
“We request our National Assembly from the South East to support State Police creation in the ongoing constitutional amendment.”
The meeting which had in attendance, Governors from the region, South East leaders, Ministers from the region, National Assembly members from the region, traditional rulers and the clergy, directed the Governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo to liaise with indigenes from northern part of Nigeria and indigenes of other regions to assure the nation Nigeria and their people of their safety in South East.
The meeting endorsed the South East joint security outfit – Ebubeagu and asked them to work with security agencies and to respect the rights and privileges of all those living in South East and their visitors.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, yesterday’s meeting was in furtherance of the meeting held on the 11th June, 2021 with the Presidential team led by Hon. Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd.), where they agreed to a further meeting – “for articulation of our positions and further meet with the Presidential team.”
“The meeting set up Committees under Ohaneze to articulate and address our positions on all burning issues to further meet among ourselves and thereafter meet with the Presidential team”, the communiqué added.
Photo: (L-R): Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum, Engr. Dave Umahi, Governor of Enugu State, Sen. Ifeany Ugwuanyi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu during the South East Stakeholders Strategic Meeting in Enugu yesterday.
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