By Our Reporter
South-East Leaders of Thought have said that the unity of Nigeria must be anchored on equality of rights, justice and respect to all.
The leaders disclosed this on Saturday in Enugu after a meeting attended by political leaders, sociocultural organisations, the clergy and the traditional institution.
The Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, Gov, Dave Umahi, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, said that the group reiterated its support for the corporate existence of the country.
Umahi, however, said that such union must be based on justice, equality of rights, love and fairness to all irrespective of one’s religion, ethnic group, political inclination or creed.
The governor said that the various secessionist groups from the region were not speaking for the people of the area.
He said that the leaders from the zone had set up a committee to engage the agitators in order to allow the elders of the region to address their fears.
“We have come out publicly on many occasions to speak against such agitations,” he said.
Umahi condemned the killing of civilians as well as human rights abuses by security agencies in the South-East region.
He also condemned the killing of security men and burning of national infrastructure by hoodlums in the zone.
He requested the security agencies to discharge their duties within the law and in accordance with their rules of engagement.
The governor said that leaders from the region had noted with concern threats against the Igbo people by some groups in other regions.
“The meeting pleaded with leaders of other regions to note such threats to our people, address it and protect our people,” he said.
He said that governors from the South-East had assured people from other ethnic nationalities of their safety in the region in spite of the prevailing circumstances.
Umahi said that the meeting was in fulfillment of the June 11 agreement they had with a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Defense, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi.
“Consequent upon that, we scheduled our own meeting today to discuss and articulate our positions.
“This is to enable us not only engage the presidential team but also engage our people over all burning issues,” he said.
He called on national assembly members from the region to support the creation of state police in the ongoing efforts to amend the constitution.
The governor said that the meeting endorsed the South-East Joint Security Unit code named ” EbubeAgu’ and requested the personnel to work with statutory security agencies.
