A high powered Federal Government delegation, led by the Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi, was on Friday sent to the Southeast leaders to discuss growing tension in the land and the other crucial issues. The delegation met with the Southeast governors and other leaders of the political, religious and traditional institutions in the region at Enugu State Government House.
The delegation, which had the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola and Service Chiefs, engaged the Igbo leaders in several hours at a closed-door meeting on security challenges.
Addressing journalists after the meeting in Enugu, Magashi said the meeting discussed, amongst other issues, the problem of marginalisation, which the people of Southeast had been complaining of since the inception of the Buhari administration, saying that further discussion would continue on the matter upon their return to Abuja to brief the president.
He said, “we have agreed on the following items: That the Southeast governors and the Southwest have committed to the unity and stability of this great country. And we are giving them the assurance and confidence that this commitment will be relayed to the Federal Government and in fact, the Commander-in-Chief himself.
“Issues raised comprise the instability and the criminality affecting the country in general. And we are happy to discuss the ones that are peculiar to this part of the country. We have agreed that there are fundamental issues that need to be addressed. I will just mention one or two for your consumption; one, the farmers/herders conflict should be seen from the perspective of national interest that should be given the necessary accord that will stop this menace all over the country.
“Second, we discussed the problem of marginalisation which I think is well accepted but further discussion will continue after we have met with Mr. President to see the grievances and after the governors articulate their position, then we can further hold discussion on it.
Add Comment