…Pledge allegiance to one Nigeria
…FG admits S’East ‘well marginalised’
A delegation from the Federal Government, led by the Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi, (rtd), as well as the governors of the five States of the South-East and other leaders of political, religious and traditional institutions in the zone have reiterated their commitment to peace, unity and stability of the country.
Addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting on the security challenges confronting the region at the Government House, Enugu meeting, Magashi disclosed that the delegation will relay the commitment reached at the parley and other outcomes of the consultation to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Defence Minister, who was accompanied by his Interior Ministry counterpart, Ra’uf Aregbesola, and the Service Chiefs, explained that they were 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 added that the meeting agreed that there were fundamental issues that need to be addressed in the region.
Magashi, on behalf of the Federal Government, admitted that problems of marginalisation as presented by the S/East governors were “well accepted’.
The minister further revealed that “discussion will continue after we have met with Mr. President, to see their grievances and thereafter, the governors will articulate the grievances so that we can have further discussion on them”.
Magashi further stated that the second issue they discussed was “the problem of marginalisation”, stressing that “it is well accepted and further discussion will continue after we have met with Mr. President to see their grievances and after the governors will articulate the grievances so that we can have further discussion on them”.
In an address at the meeting, the Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of South-East Governors Forum, David Umahi, on behalf of the leaders of the zone, restated their commitment to national unity, saying that “this sincere commitment is a new dawn not only to South-East but to entire Nigeria”.
He further stated that the governors have agreed to articulate all the grievances and concerns of the people of the South-East “as spelt out by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo”, saying: “We are happy that there is a genuine willingness for further dialogue on such issues”.
Earlier in his opening remark, Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, described the Town Hall meeting as timely and apt, expressing optimism that the outcome of the meeting will address the security challenges in the South-East zone.
Notable South-East leaders in the meeting included former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Ike Ekweramadu, Governors of Abia and Imo States, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and Sen. Hope Uzodinma respectively, 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, and the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-East, amongst others.
