The state of federal roads in the south-east geopolitical zone amongst other demands has been brought to the fore at the meeting of the south east leaders and delegates of the federal government held at the government house Enugu.
The south east leaders presented their demands to the Presidential delegation led by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Saturday.
Leaders of religious and traditional institutions in the South East geo-political zone, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo as well as women and youth groups demands that an Igbo candidate be given opportunity to be the President of Nigeria in 2023;
In the spirit of equity and justice, create more states within the South East geo-political zone; urgent construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of all federal roads in the zone which have turned to death traps.
They also asked for equitable representation of the South East in the security architecture among the five Service Chiefs, Immigration and Inspector General of Police as well as disarming of the killer herdsmen operating with AK-47s in the zone.
Presenting the communiqué after the meeting, David Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman South East Governors’ Forum said, “We, therefore, with humility, request our President, the father of our nation, to please look into the demands of the various groups of our people, as presented today, review same with a view to solving them”.
Gov. Umahi stressed that “South East people believe in one Nigeria and this is the reason we are in every part of this country erecting infrastructure, living peacefully with our host communities and doing our businesses”.
“Demand for a joint operation into all our forests is aimed at flushing out criminals and killer herdsmen with AK-47; we pledge to a continuous co-existence with herdsmen who have been living peacefully in the zone for years,
“We pledge to continue to protect all the various ethnic groups living in the South East and enjoin them to go about their businesses peacefully,” Umahi said.
“We thank Mr. President, Governors and Traditional Rulers in other parts of Nigeria for their commitment to protect our people, especially during and after the protests. We must continue to live in peace”, Umahi reiterated.
The Chairman South East Governors’ forum then thanked President Buhari for sending the powerful delegation, comprising his Chief of Staff, the Inspector General of Police, Director General, Department of State Services, Minister of Information and Ministers from the South East zone, to visit and hear from the people of the zone.
“Thank you President Buhari for the ongoing work at the Second Niger Bridge; thank you for rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, dualization of Enugu – Port Harcourt road and some other projects in the South East”.
“We also appreciate the President for his kind commitment towards the struggle for the emergence of Prof. Okonjo Iweala (our sister) as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation,”
“The Igbos stand for an indivisible and united Nigeria, built on love, fairness, equity and justice,” the spokesman concluded.
Earlier in his address, the host Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi welcomed members of the Presidential delegation and South East stakeholders, to the Government House, Enugu.
Ugwuanyi stated, “The strategic dialogue between the Presidential delegation and the expanded meeting of the South East stakeholders is historic and momentous as it presents an uncommon opportunity for deepening the common ideas between the zone and the Presidency”.
Gov. Ugwuanyi reiterated the South East zone’s abiding faith in the Nigeria project and unwavering commitment to a united, peaceful and equitable Nigeria.
Present at the meeting are the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Other leaders present include Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senate Minority Leader; Toby Okechukwu, Deputy Minority Leader House of Representatives; Senator Sam Egwu; Chief Nnia Nwodo, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe Obi of Onitsha and leader of the South East Traditional Rulers’ delegation; Bishop Goddy Okafor, South East CAN Chairman; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Amb. Justina Eze; Chief Mrs. Josephine Anenih, representatives of Igbo youths and students, amongst others.
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