Insecurity: Religious leaders, monarchs slam presidency, South-East govs

The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops have expressed their displeasure with the South-handling East’s of insecurity.

In a communique obtained on Monday, religious and traditional rulers expressed their displeasure.

According to them, the presidential administration failed to respond to a letter requesting dialogue as a means of resolving the region’s insecurity.

They also chastised regional governors for failing to respond to calls for dialogue.

The group urged the president and governors of the states to grant audience as soon as possible.

Read Also:  UBA’s Pre-Tax Profit Rises 20.3% To N153.1bn In Fiscal Year 2021

requested.

“Confronted with the escalation of insecurity in the South-East, and concerned that those in authority were failing to stem the tide of violence, especially in the run-up to the Gubernatorial Elections in Anambra State, the Council issued a public appeal on Sunday, 30th October, 2021, for a de-escalation and suspension of the IPOB sit-at-home order,” the communique read. We held numerous behind-the-scenes meetings with all relevant stakeholders.

“On November 3, 2021, the Joint Body wrote a letter to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), requesting an extension of the deadline.”

“The purpose of the request was to dialogue and explore avenues for peace-building, to defuse tension in the South East, and to ensure that it did not result in a grave socio-economic burden on our people,” said the audience. Further delay or inaction on this request, the joint Body fears, may have the unintended consequence of giving credence, albeit incorrectly, to the belief held by some groups in the region that restoring peace and stability is not the primary goal.

The federal government’s goal

“In the same vein, genuine efforts to dialogue with South East Governors made through the Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum have hit a brick wall so far.” When taken as a whole, the shuttered silence invites suspicion and, if left unattended, foreshadows doom.

Read Also:  APC Governorship Candidate In Ekiti Counsels Supporters On PVCs

“It’s been three months since I wrote and delivered the letter to the President’s office. The White House has not acknowledged receipt of the letter or responded to it.

“It’s perplexing that the President and the Governors of the South East appear to be ignoring the proven value of dialogue and consensus-building in resolving the region’s security issues.

“As leaders who are constantly required by our duty to interact with the public, the Joint Body wishes to confirm the Federal Government’s sincerity and commitment, in particular, to finding a long-term solution to the security crisis.”

Chairman, Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council and South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Charles Mkpuma; Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Obi Nnaemeka Achebe; Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Agubuzu; Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Agubuzu; Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Agu

Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke, Eze Okeke

Read Also:  2023 Presidency: Vote Credible Candidate From Anywhere – Gov Uzodinma

The Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko, is among the others.

Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha; Most Rev. Uma Onwunta, Past Principal Clerk Presbyterian Church of Nigeria; Eze Joseph Nwabeke, Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council; Bishop Obi Onubogu, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; and Most Rev. Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma, Anglican Archbishop of Enugu.