South East political leaders rose from their meeting with the governors of the zone yesterday with a three-point communiqué condemning the spate of killings of Igbos in the northern parts of the country. However, Sunday Sun gathered that the meeting wasn’t exactly smooth, as the house couldn’t agree on the issues raised on the violence that has led to the displacement of Igbos living in some northern states.
Our source that was at the meeting lamented the cowardly stand of some of those who attended the meeting. “It was obvious that some people came to the meeting just to protect the federal government because of their political appointments. They came to protect Jonathan not their kinsmen. Our people are suddenly stranded and are now refugees in their own country.
You would have thought that a meeting of leaders and elders in the region would be talking about how to evacuate their endangered kinsmen from the North and a warning to the federal government. But no, they were all talking politics. It’s a shame and that was why the communiqué was short and watery.”
In a three-point communique read to newsmen by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, the leaders said though they were angry with the development, they commended federal government’s efforts in containing the situation.
Obi announced the setting up of an advisory committee that’ll monitor developments as it unfolds and advise on future actions. “We assure our people living in the North and other parts of the country that we are in constant touch with the various state governments to ensure the security of their lives and property.”
Throwing more light on the closed door meeting, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, South East, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, said the meeting was timely and he was happy that leaders in the region were finally speaking up.“We are very angry and the country must not take us for a ride. This is the time we must protect our image and we are letting the country know that we belong to this nation. We don’t want Nigeria to break up but we need to feel a sense of belonging.”
“Our people must be free to exercise their rights wherever they are. We want security to be tightened so we can feel safe anywhere we are. The carnage must stop.“That’s what we are saying, we are angry and we have set up a committee to monitor the situation and let the President know that we are angry. We have given him every support and we should not be marginalized or treated like people who don’t belong to this nation.”
Those at the Nike Lake meeting were the five governors of the zone, Mr. Peter Obi, Anambra, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Imo, Sullivan Chime Enugu, Martin Elechi Ebonyi and T. A Orji of Abia State. Others include former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, National Chairman of APGA Chief Victor Umeh, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, former governor of Anambra State Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
Others were Senator Ben Obi, Deputy Speaker in the House of Representative, Emeka Ihedioha, Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Chris Ngige, Paulinus Igwenweagu from Ebonyi, Christy Anyanwu, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chairman CAN South East Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, PDP National Vice Chairman South East Chief Olisah Metu, Professor Chinedu Nebo, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, Amb Ralph Uwechue, Barth Nnaji, Ebito Ukiwe, professor Joe Irukwu, Prof. Ben Obumselu, Emeka Anyoku, and Minister of Labour Emeka Nwogu, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, Speakers of the five States of the zone led by Enugu Speaker Rt. Hon Eugene Odo, Dr. Anagha Ezeikpe, HRH Dr. Agom Eze, Igwe Alfred Achebe among others.
Our source that was at the meeting lamented the cowardly stand of some of those who attended the meeting. “It was obvious that some people came to the meeting just to protect the federal government because of their political appointments. They came to protect Jonathan not their kinsmen. Our people are suddenly stranded and are now refugees in their own country.
You would have thought that a meeting of leaders and elders in the region would be talking about how to evacuate their endangered kinsmen from the North and a warning to the federal government. But no, they were all talking politics. It’s a shame and that was why the communiqué was short and watery.”
In a three-point communique read to newsmen by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, the leaders said though they were angry with the development, they commended federal government’s efforts in containing the situation.
Obi announced the setting up of an advisory committee that’ll monitor developments as it unfolds and advise on future actions. “We assure our people living in the North and other parts of the country that we are in constant touch with the various state governments to ensure the security of their lives and property.”
Throwing more light on the closed door meeting, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, South East, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, said the meeting was timely and he was happy that leaders in the region were finally speaking up.“We are very angry and the country must not take us for a ride. This is the time we must protect our image and we are letting the country know that we belong to this nation. We don’t want Nigeria to break up but we need to feel a sense of belonging.”
“Our people must be free to exercise their rights wherever they are. We want security to be tightened so we can feel safe anywhere we are. The carnage must stop.“That’s what we are saying, we are angry and we have set up a committee to monitor the situation and let the President know that we are angry. We have given him every support and we should not be marginalized or treated like people who don’t belong to this nation.”
Those at the Nike Lake meeting were the five governors of the zone, Mr. Peter Obi, Anambra, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Imo, Sullivan Chime Enugu, Martin Elechi Ebonyi and T. A Orji of Abia State. Others include former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, National Chairman of APGA Chief Victor Umeh, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, former governor of Anambra State Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife.
Others were Senator Ben Obi, Deputy Speaker in the House of Representative, Emeka Ihedioha, Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Chris Ngige, Paulinus Igwenweagu from Ebonyi, Christy Anyanwu, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chairman CAN South East Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, PDP National Vice Chairman South East Chief Olisah Metu, Professor Chinedu Nebo, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, Amb Ralph Uwechue, Barth Nnaji, Ebito Ukiwe, professor Joe Irukwu, Prof. Ben Obumselu, Emeka Anyoku, and Minister of Labour Emeka Nwogu, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, Speakers of the five States of the zone led by Enugu Speaker Rt. Hon Eugene Odo, Dr. Anagha Ezeikpe, HRH Dr. Agom Eze, Igwe Alfred Achebe among others.
Source: The Sun
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