By Tony Adibe
The Governors of the South East Zone of Nigeria, on Sunday, emerged from their meeting in Enugu and appealed to the federal government to provide adequate security in the zone ahead of next year’s general elections.
The Governors bemoaned the rising rate of insecurity within states in the zone and agreed to set up a 24-hour Joint Patrol in all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season.
The governors said that they also reviewed the ongoing trial of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, restating their earlier position that a political solution was a better way of resolving the matter.
The NewsBits recalls that it was the same southeast governors alongside other political leaders in the zone who, few years back, quickly engineered the proscription of the IPOB and tagging it a terrorist organization by the federal government with an instrument of the court.
Remember also that critics blame the southeast governors for the creation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed offshoot of IPOB, which IPOB claimed, would protect the zone from the rampaging herdsmen who commit all kinds of violent crimes in the zone.
Had the southeast governors risen quickly to the occasion and founded the so-called zonal security network akin to what their counterparts in the southwest founded – the Amotekun -, the founding of ESN would have been needless, according to one of the observers in political matters in the zone.
“The gap created by the governors in their habitual pussy-footing in matters of security of the zone eventually gave room for the birthday of ESN which seemed like a child of circumstance,” said a notable Igbo leader who craved anonymity.
NewsBits reports that the Appeal Court had discharged the IPOB leader and dismissed the 6-count charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
However, not comfortable or satisfied with the ruling, the Federal Government approached the appellate Court for a stay of execution and went ahead to appeal the earlier ruling that favoured Kanu.
But the Governors in the zone, after their meeting on Sunday, said that they’re monitoring the situation.
“South East Governors are watching with keen interest, the developments with respect to the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu viz-a-viz the Court rulings. However, we believe that a political solution is still possible in this circumstance,” they said.
In the communique issued at the end of their usual meeting held at Government House, Enugu, the Governors also dismissed media reports that they’re responsible for the creation of ESN, stressing that they only created Ebubeagu and Forest Guards.
Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum, Engr. David Umahi who read the communique, criticised the state of insecurity in the region , adding: “Our economic activities have come to a halt while kidnapping and wanton killing have become the order of the day.
“South East Governors call on the Federal Government to come to our aid in providing security in the Zone bearing in mind that elections are around the corner.
“Meanwhile, South East Governors have agreed to set up a 24-hour Joint Patrol in all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season.”
On the issue of flooding ravaging the country, including many states in the region, the Governors commended the States and the Federal Government on “efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the recent flood menace in the Country. We hope, however, that long term solution is desirable.”
Umahi disclosed that the “South East Governors have decided to put funds together to further assist the victims of flooding in our five States in the South East. We, also plead with the Federal Government to please initiate action in the dredging of rivers in the South East, to ameliorate the destruction of houses, farmlands and properties. We request the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims in terms of rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.”
The forum also “congratulated and welcomed His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Prof. Charles Soludo, who was represented by His Deputy, His Excellency, Dr. Onyekachukwu G. Ibezim.
The Forum was, nonetheless, silent on the 2023 presidential election especially, the issue of Peter Obi who is one of the leading presidential candidates from the zone. Others who attended the “closed door” included the host, Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. The Imo state, Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma was represented by his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku
