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| Gov. Hope Uzodinma |
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeking the federal government's intervention to restore peace and order in the Southeast region of Nigeria. Governor Uzodinma conveyed the concerns of leaders from the zone during a meeting with Tinubu, emphasizing the urgent need for collaboration to address the growing insecurity in the area.
Following a recent gathering of Southeast political and non-political leaders, including representatives from Ohaneze Ndigbo, it was unanimously agreed that approaching President Tinubu would be a significant step towards resolving the security crisis. Governor Uzodinma, speaking to reporters at the State House in Abuja after meeting with Tinubu, outlined the gravity of the situation.
"The Southeastern part of the country has been bedeviled with this high level of security ranging from banditry, kidnapping activities of unknown gunmen, to the extent that most of the states, out of the five states in the Southeastern part of the country, a lot of resources have been expended, community efforts have been invested, yet the problems seem not to be abating," said Governor Uzodinma.
The governor expressed the belief of the Southeast people in the unity of Nigeria, emphasizing that the region deserves adequate attention and security provisions to allow its citizens to engage in their daily activities without fear. However, Governor Uzodinma did not disclose the specific demands that would be presented to President Tinubu during their meeting.
Governor Uzodinma also highlighted the enforcement of an illegal sit-at-home order by non-state actors in the region, leading to fear, indiscriminate killings, and disruption of daily life. He acknowledged that the issue had become a matter of "perception management" and emphasized that international diplomacy would play a crucial role in resolving the crisis, extending beyond the jurisdiction of the five state governors in the region.
The Southeast leaders, including governors, members of the National Assembly, speakers of the State Houses of Assembly, and other notable figures, held a four-hour closed-door meeting in Abuja on Monday. They unanimously decided to work together across political party lines for the betterment of the region. President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, expressed their collective commitment to finding solutions to the security challenges in the Southeast.
Governor Uzodinma's plea to President Tinubu signifies the urgent need for collaboration and support from the federal government to restore peace and security in the Southeast region. The leaders' united front demonstrates their determination to address the prevailing issues and safeguard the well-being of the people in the area.