*Call on FG to provide security ahead 2023 elections
*Calls FG’s intervention in rehabilitation of flood victims in area
Governors of the South-East geo-political zone have raised the alarm over the wanton kidnappings and killings in the zone, calling on the Federal Government to come to their aid in improving security in the area.
They noted that since elections are around the corner, such acts of criminality will escalate, if not halted now.
The governors raised the alarm while briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by the Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ebonyi State Governor/Chairman of the Forum, Engr. David Umahi, while the governors of Anambra and Imo states, Prof. Charles Soludo and Sen. Hope Uzodinma, were represented by their deputies, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Prof. Placid Njoku, respectively.
The governors agreed to set up a 24-hour joint patrol in all major highways within the South-East, especially during the upcoming Christmas season.
Speaking, Gov. Umahi disclosed that the “South-East governors decried the state of insecurity in the region”, adding that economic activities in the zone have come to a halt “while kidnapping and wanton killings have become the order of the day.”
On the issue of the ravaging flooding, the governors commended the states and the Federal Government on efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the recent menace in the country and expressed the hope that a long-term solution (dredging of the Rivers Niger and Benue, as well as construction of dams) are desirable.
They also agreed to jointly contribute funds to further assist the victims of flooding in the five states of the zone and went further to “plead with the Federal Government to initiate action in the dredging of rivers in the South-East, to check 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.”
On the purported statement that it was the South-East governors that formed Eastern Security Network (ESN), Gov. Umahi denied the allegation, stating that “the South-East Governors Forum jointly formed Ebubeagu and Forest Guards not ESN.
“So, it is not correct for any person to allude to the fact that South East governors created ESN.”
On the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the governors, who reiterated their belief in a political solution, said that they are watching with keen interest, the developments with respect to Kanu’s case viz-a-viz the court rulings.
“However, we believe that a political solution is still possible in the circumstance,” the governors said.
The Forum used the opportunity to congratulate and welcome Prof. Soludo to its fold and announced apologies from the Anambra State Governor and his Imo State counterpart, Sen. Uzodinma, who were absent at the meeting because of other pressing official engagements.
