The Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West have rejected the agitation for secession across the country.
In a meeting in Lagos on Sunday, the stakeholders said a united and peaceful Nigeria should remain the pursuit of all well-meaning leaders.
The meeting was attended by the National Leader of the ruling party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; South-West Governors, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, and other stakeholders.
A communiqué which was issued at the end of the meeting was signed by the former Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande.
The stakeholders also endorsed the ban on open grazing by the Southern Governors, a decision which was recently taken in Asaba, Delta State Capital.
The communiqué read in part, “They express their strong opposition to separatist agitations and hate speeches. While urging those indulging in such to desist forthwith, they renew their belief in the unity, stability and sustainability of the country.
‘’We note with significant concern the security situation in the country. Terrorism and violent criminality threaten many areas, adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of too many innocent and peace-loving Nigerians.
“While mindful of the resource and other constraints facing the nation, we urge the federal government to continue to make the necessary expenditures and allocate sufficient resources to enable the military and security agencies to tackle the difficult security challenges confronting us.
“We urge government at all levels, security agencies, and public leaders across the country to do everything possible to prevent tension so that we sustain the necessary unity to defeat these challenges to our national security.
“All responsible Nigerians must speak and act in a manner that strengthens our common cause against these common threats to our collective peace, justice and development.
“We restate our abhorrence of violence as a means to achieve either political or economic power and influence. We strongly condemn violence of any form in any part of the country, regardless of ethnic or regional identity of the perpetrators of the violence or of the victims. Government must do all it can to protect potential victims and to assist those who have previously been victimized by terrorism or widespread banditry.
“We hold to the view that true federalism where more power and resources are allocated to the states will be an essential part in strengthening society and improving democratic governance so that we beat the present challenges but also engender durable peace and security.
“True federalism and the reallocation of resources and authority that comes with it will empower the states to solve localized issues before they spread and transform into national ones.
“In addition to mitigating political competition for control of the national government, greater federalism will empower grassroots economic development and political reforms that will stand as bulwarks against the terrorism and criminality now experienced in too many parts of the nation. A hallmark of this enhanced federalism will be the establishment of state police forces.”
