Various Igbo leaders Saturday, received Presidential delegations at the Lion Building, Enugu Government house where it agreed to stick to “one indivisible Nigeria” built on love and peace.
After an intensive deliberation and dialogue in the meeting with the presidential delegation led by Prof. Ibrahim A. Gambari, Chief of Staff to Mr. President; the Inspector General of Police, Heads of Department of State Services, Hon. Minister of Information, Federal Ministers from South East, South East Governors, Igbo traditional rulers, Students and Youth leaders; not excluding religious leaders, agreed upon pertinent national issues concerning Nigeria’s oneness.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, Governor David Nweze Umahi, the Igbo leaders appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for sending his powerful delegations.
The leaders also expressed their gratitude to the President over the reported new development at the second Niger Bridge, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, dual expressway of Enugu to Port Harcourt; and his commitment in the struggle.
“We are particularly grateful with the way you have engaged the world leaders to see her through the process. May God crown your efforts with success- Amen,” they said.
Addressing the security situation of the South East zone, the Igbo leaders requested a joint operation to flush out criminals and killer herdsmen in the region.
“We request a joint operation into all our forests to flush out criminals and killer herdsmen with AK47, while pledging our commitment to continuous co-existence with herdsmen who have been living peacefully with us for years.
“We pledge our undivided support and love to our President and his administration.
“We, lgbo leaders stand for an indivisible and united Nigeria, built on love, fairness, equity and justice. We believe that under this platform, we are bigger and stronger.
“We thank Mr. President for the speed and restraint with which he handled the demand of peaceful ENDSARS protesters, especially his commitment to drive Police Reform and mainstream youth empowerment and also for his courage to deal with hoodlums, criminals and those who hi-jacked the initial protests, to hide under the peaceful protest and kill, maim innocent citizens, security agents and public and private properties.
“We sympathize with the families of civilians and security agencies, who lost their lives and properties during the ENDSARS protests (both peaceful and criminal protests).
“South East Governors have set up Panels of Enquiry to deal with all infractions of human rights of our people and security agencies, compensation funds for all civilians and security men who lost their lives during the protest. We have also set up empowerment/employment fund to help more of our youth earn their lawful daily means of livelihood.
“We, therefore, with humility, request our President, the father of our nation, to please look into the demands of the various groups of our people, as presented today, review same with a view to solving them.
“South East people believe in one Nigeria and this is the reason we are in every part of this country erecting infrastructures, living peacefully with our host communities and doing our businesses.
“We pledge to continue to protect all the various ethnic groups living in South East. We enjoin them to go about their businesses peacefully. We thank Mr. President, Governors and traditional rulers in other parts of Nigeria for their commitment to protect our people, especially during and after the protests. We must continue to live in peace.
“We appreciate Mr. President’s delegation for carefully listening to, engaging with stakeholders and undertaking to report faithfully to Mr. President for his consideration and necessary action.
“We request Mr. President to commit the various presentations of all of us – Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, the women group, the Ohaneze leadership and the youth groups, and give full support to actualizing these genuine demands.
“We wish Mr. President’s delegation journey mercies as they travel back, as we pray to God to continue to guard our Presidents health and guide him, as he pilots the affairs of our nation.”
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting Obinwannem News
