ENUGU — The Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir Magashi on Friday during a consultative meeting with South East leaders in Enugu has expressed the commitment of government in restoring peace, unity and stability in the nation.
Magashi, the leader of the FG delegation disclosed this to newsmen at the rise of a closed-door meeting with Governors, political religious and traditional rulers of the five states of the South East; on the security challenges confronting the region in particular and the Nigerian nation.
The Defence Minister accompanied by his Interior Ministry counterpart and the Service Chiefs explained, “We are in Enugu for a consultative meeting with leaders of the South East zone on the issues of instability and criminality, at the instance of President Buhari”
He further stated, “We endorse the Community Policing Model of the South East governors and have further agreed on fundamental issues that need to be addressed in the South East region; the farmers/ herders conflict, Marginalization of Ndigbo amongst others.”
“Further discussion on these issues is expected after we have met with Mr. President to relay your grievances,” he promised while calling on the governors to articulate their grievances for further discussion.
Addressing the audience, Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of South East Governors Forum, Engr. David Umahi, stated, “We have agreed to articulate all the grievances and concerns of the people of the South East as spelled out by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo”
We also reiterate South East’s commitment to national unity, need for FG to dress all issues pertaining to herdsmen.
Umahi revealing the existence of laws supporting ban on open grazing in each of the five states in the South East Geopolitical zone, proclaimed Ebubeagu as the only recognized local security outfit.
“Ebubeagu is our local security outfit. No other security outfit speaks for South East and this is the position of Ndigbo”.
He further stated, “We are committed to one united Nigeria; a united Nigeria of fairness, equity and equality of freedom”
“Those who dish out hate speeches from our region, threat of violence or secession does not speak for South East. I repeat we the South East people are not for secession, we don’t support it; we don’t call for it”
“Finally, we condemn the killings of security men and innocent people in the South East and we appeal to our people to continue to engage our youths to eschew violence,” Umahi said.
South East leaders in the meeting include Engr. David Umahi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governors of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo state Governors respectively; and Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Others include the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Uchechukwu Ogah; President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Prof. George Obiozor; former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani; Senator Ike Ekweramadu; Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; former Governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South East among others.
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