The Council of traditional rulers and Christian clergies from the Southeast geopolitical zone have lamented blood letting and hardship occassioned by prolonged insecurity in the zone, saying that the socio-economic and political activities have been paralysed.
In a communique singed and issued by the Chairman of Southeast Council of Traditional rulers, Charles Mkpuma and 11 others, after a meeting of traditional rulers and Bishops on Saturday, they called on the Federal government to step up effort in nipping in the bud insecurity, the same way it has been tackling security challenges in other parts of the country.
The communique said: “We, the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, note with deep concern the high level of insecurity and socio-economic disruption in the South East Zone of Nigeria.
“This has deepened the hardships being faced by the citizens and rendered prostrate the socio-political and economic lives of our people.”
The communique advised the Federal government to toe the path of dialogue rather than kinetic approach, while they also called for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu as a way of restoring peace in the zone.
“Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion and development.
“Accordingly, we refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops and restate this call even more strongly.
“We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South East Zone.
“We also urge President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Federal Government to take immediate steps to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and release all IPOB members being held in various detention facilities in Nigeria.
They also urged the Federal government to withdraw military from the zone, arguing that the presence of soldiers was causing endless crisis leading to killings on daily basis.
The traditional rulers and Bishops further called on Government to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra which they maintained was the best option to achieve peace in the Southeast.
“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South East Zone, moreso as it has become apparent that a continued military siege on the region can only lead to heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.
It has become urgent, imperative and compelling to de-emphasize the military option and move towards finding a political solution that will lead to sustainable peace.
“We assert that heightened inequality and marginalization remain at the core of youth restiveness in our region. We urge our apex National Leadership to note that until it takes deliberate steps to run government on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and non-discrimination, this restiveness is likely to continue.
“We shall respectfully seek audience with Mr President to discuss these issues in exploring political solution and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“On our part, we assure our youths that we have heard their cries of marginalization, injustice and longsuffering. As concerned parents, we feel your pain. However, we urge you to de-escalate the tension and remain law-abiding to enable us to engage especially the Federal Government in finding a lasting solution to the crises.
“Finally, we call on all the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election to eschew violence and commit to free, fair and credible election”, they concluded.
