By Handel Patrick (Staff Reporter)
The Governors of the South East states of the country, on Sunday, rose from a meeting in Enugu calling on the federal government to provide adequate security in the zone ahead of next year’s general elections.
They lamented the increasing wave of insecurity within states in the zone and agreed to set up a 24-hour Joint Patrol in all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season.
The governors reviewed the ongoing trial of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu reiterating its earlier position that a political solution was a better way of resolving the matter.
They said that the Appeal Court had discharged the IPOB leader and dismissed the 6-count charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
But dissatisfied with the ruling, the Federal Government approached the appellate Court for a stay of execution and went ahead to appeal the earlier ruling in Favour of Kanu.
The South East Governors, however, said after their meeting that they’re monitoring the situation.
“South East Governors are watching with keen interest, the developments with respect to the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu viz-a-viz the Court rulings. However, we believe that a political solution is still possible in this circumstance,” they said.
In the communique issued at the end of the meeting held at Government House, Enugu, the Governors also dismissed media reports that they’re responsible for the creation of ESN, stressing that they only created Ebubeagu and Forest Guards.
Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum, Engr. David Umahi who read the communique, decried the state of insecurity in the region lamenting that “Our economic activities have come to a halt while kidnapping and wanton killing have become the order of the day.
“South East Governors call on the Federal Government to come to our aid in providing security in the Zone bearing in mind that elections are around the corner.
“Meanwhile, South East Governors have agreed to set up a 24-hour Joint Patrol in all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season.”
On the issue of flooding ravaging the country, including many states in the region, the Governors commended the States and the Federal Government on “efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the recent flood menace in the Country. We hope, however, that long term solution is desirable.”
Umahi disclosed that the “South East Governors have decided to put funds together to further assist the victims of flooding in our five States in the South East. We, also plead with the Federal Government to please initiate action in the dredging of rivers in the South East, to ameliorate the destruction of houses, farmlands and properties. We request the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims in terms of rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.”
The forum also “congratulated and welcomed His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Prof. Charles Soludo, who was represented by His Deputy, His Excellency, Dr. Onyekachukwu G. Ibezim.
The governors were however, silent on the 2023 presidential election especially, the issue of Peter Obi who is one of the leading presidential candidates from the zone.
Also present at the meeting were; Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Imo state, Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma who was represented by his deputy; Prof. Placid Njoku.
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