BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
The stakeholders of the South East zone have reaffirmed the region's commitment to one indivisible Nigeria under the platform of justice, equality of rights, fairness and respect for one another in the country.
They made the resolution during the South East stakeholders' strategic meeting comprised of governors, other leaders including the ministers, National Assembly members, traditional rulers and the clergy from the region on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Lion Building, Government House, Enugu.
The stakeholders' meeting presided by the Chairman of the South East Governors' Forum and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, was held with the Presidential team led by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd.) and agreed to have a further meeting and consequently, was scheduled today, for articulation of their positions in the region.
According to a communique made available to NATIONAL PANEL, the stakeholders set up committees under Ohaneze to articulate and address the positions on all burning issues to further meet themselves, before interfacing with the Presidential team.
"We, the Igbos do reaffirm our commitment to one united Nigeria under a platform of justice, equality of rights, fairness, love and respect for one another," part of the communique stated.
They noted the threats by some groups against the people of South East, and promised to protect everyone either from other regions or their zone, pleading with the leaders of other regions to protect the South East people living in their regions.
The South East leaders also condemned the killing of security agencies, burning of strategic infrastructures and killing of civilians in South East and other regions.
They requested that the security agencies to please discharge their duties within the rules of engagement and the law.
They also requested that the members of the National Assembly from South East zone to support State Police creation in the ongoing constitutional amendment.
The Leaders further condemned in totality, the activities of violent secessionis groups in South East zone and elsewhere, as they firmly proclaimed that the region do not support them, and stressed that 'they do not speak for South East.'
According to the stakeholders, "the impression that South East leaders are silent over some of our youths agitators for secession is 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;
"Meeting directed our Governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo to liaise with indigenes from northern part of Nigeria and indigenes of other regions to assure that the nation Nigeria and their people of their safety in South East.
"The meeting endorsed our 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 our visitors."
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