A group, the South East Development Agenda (SEDA), has condemned the silence of the leaders of the South East geopolitical zone and Federal government over the disengagement on non indigenes by the Abia State government.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its’ meeting at Enugu, the group which is a coalition of human rights and pro democracy groups comprising Center for Popular Participation & Local Initiative (CENPPALIN), Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy& Development (FENRAD) ,Echoes of Women Africa Initiative (ECOWA), Movement for Peace & Development in Niger-Delta, Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC),and South-East Budget Network, , lamented that neither Igbo leaders nor the federal government has condemned the evil action.
Spokesmen for the various organizations; Comrade Godson Ibekwe-Umelo, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Duru Catherine Comrade Henry Nwaigwe, Comrade Onyekachi Uche, Adindu Chinwuba and Bright-Chuks Ogbonna, SEDA noted that the action of the Abia government is unacceptable and runs contrary to the ideals of the Igbo race.
“That the sacking of Nigerian public servants of Igbo extraction from an Igbo speaking state known to have been developed by non indigenes went on without condemnation from Igbo leadership and Nigerian government is curious and regrettable,” the group noted.
“The sacking of Nigerian public servants of Igbo extraction from Abia State is wicked, parochial, and unacceptable and an affront to Ndi Igbo and our collective psyche, and the ideal the late sage stood for, the group said.
SEDA said it is committed and working for the promotion of good governance and sustainable development in the South East zone of Nigeria, stressing that it will continue to meet to review and consider some critical issues of the zone.
The group regretted that the people of the zone has always lost out in the power equation of the country largely because of non committed and focused leadership, and called for coordinated efforts towards giving the people of the zone a sense of security, pride and belongingness.
On the issue of state creation, SEDA called on the National Assembly, the Igbo leadership and indeed, all stakeholders in the Nigerian project to support the creation of an additional state for the South East as a legitimate entitlement of the zone and a necessary condition for peace and security in Nigeria.
It further maintained that the issue of state police should not be politicized but rather be seen as a genuine panacea for lasting security questions in Nigeria in line with the principles of federalism.
SEDA regretted the neglect of federal roads in the South East particularly the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, describing the situation as an affront on the people of the zone, which should be addressed without further delay.
The group further charged Civil Society Organizations to continuously drive the process that ensures that government remains accountable to the people, particularly on issues of security and good governance.
