SAM OBINNA IBE who was at a two-day meeting organised by the elders of the Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly (SNPA) highlights the core issues in this report
On Monday 17th October to Wednesday, 19th October, 2016, the Elders and Leaders of southern Nigeria converged on Umuahia the state capital of Abia, God’s own State, and tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the fight his administration is leading against corruption is all inclusive and without bias. The group cautioned in its 11-point communiqué, that prosecution, conviction and recovery of loot should be applied irrespective of status, political affiliation and ethnicity. The essence of the two days event, the elders and leaders say was to chart the way for ward for the three zones namely, South East, South South and South West that make up Southern Nigeria People Assembly.
The meeting was attended by the eminent personalities of the Southern Nigeria.
The meeting was chaired by Chief Mbazulike Amaechi (First Republic Minister of Aviation) it also had in attendance co-chairman and leader of South South, Chief Edwin Kiagbado Clark OFR CON, and Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi Co-chairman and leader of South West represented by Senator Femi Okoroumu (CON).
Others in the two days meeting include: Senator Adolphus Wabara, His Excellency, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezife, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Anthony Adefuyi, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Gen. Tony Etukudoh, Dr. Gregory Ibe, Professor George Obiozor, Professor Ikechukwu Madbuike, Sen. Adelekan, Senator Bassay Ewa Henshaw. Rt. Hon. Tunde Akogun, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, Senator Rowland Owie, Col. Pal Oga, Chief Simon Nsubundu Okeke and so many other elders and leaders from the three zones of southern Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike and members of Abia state Executive Council and eminent sons and daughters of Abia state were in attendance to welcome the southern elders and leaders to Abia State. He commended them for coming together to unite the South and promote the unity of Nigeria.
Abia governor however expressed his appreciation for the choice of Umuahia as the venue for the crucial meeting of this great body of Elder statesmen and women who contributed greater part of their lives for the development and unity of the Nigeria. Ikpeazu urge participants at the meeting to come up with far reaching recommendations to address the myriad challenges of Nigeria especially the one the south is facing.
Among fundamental issues the elders and leaders of SNPA deliberated on included the continuous herdsmen attack on Southern Nigeria, the controversial grazing bill before the National Assembly, the urgent call for restructuring Nigeria, the activities of the Niger Delta Avenges and the military presence in the Niger Delta Region, the Nigeria economy and options for economic cooperation and diversification by Southern states and the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari led government.
The SNPA elders therefore notes as follows: That the herdsmen attack in Southern Nigeria is a recurring feature despite repeated calls to the federal government to deal with this issue decisively.
The rampaging attack, raping, wanton destructions of lives and properties of innocent Nigerians have continued unabated particularly the recent killings in Enugu State, Benue State which borders the Cross River does not make for peaceful co-existence and stability of the country.
That the draft ill-conceived grazing bill which seeks to establish grazing reserves across the states of Nigeria is not only anachronistic and antiquated, but also an unfortunate imposition of what ought to be private commercial business ventures into a national or government business.
That the unwillingness of the President Buhari administration to begin the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National conference is objectionable as the resolutions of that conference of implemented shall resolve the many political, socio-economic and security challenges of the nation.
That the continue incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and other Nigerian prisoners of conscience after courts of competent jurisdiction have granted them judicial bail show a gross disregard to due process, disrespect for the judiciary and abuse of their fundamental right.
That the extant and lopsided appointments into federal positions and offices which indeed skewed against the people of Southern Nigeria-especially the South East and South South is unacceptable and is unconstitutional and is capable of eroding the confidence of the people of the Southern Nigeria in the ability of this government to protect their interest.
We view with concern the rising incident of kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in parts of Nigeria especially in the South and the need for the security agencies and the leaders of thought to join hands in tackling them.
That we note with concern the rapid collapse in the nation’s infrastructure especially the supply of power, the deplorable state of federal roads in Southern Nigeria and their negative impact on the economy.
That SNPA is alarmed at the unprecedented loss in value of Naira against other major foreign currencies which has resulted in the inability of the business and manufacturing sectors to source enough foreign exchange for their operations. This development has reduced the productive capacity of the real sector leading to increased unemployment and has brought untold hardship to Nigerians.
That the inability of many state government to pay salaries and pensions duly has brought untold to the families of hard working Nigerians.
In a 11 point communiqué issued and signed for and on behalf of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Chairman of Session, Chief Edwin K Clark (CON), Co-Chair/Leader, South South, Senator Femi Okuronmu (CON), (Representing Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Co-Chair/leader South West) accordingly, the meeting resolves as follows:
* That Nigerians should support President Muhammadu Buhari administration in his effort to move the country forward especially in his anti-corruption efforts, war on insurgency and efforts to revive our ailing economy. In doing this: SNPA urges Buhari to respect the rule of law, the protection of citizens fundamental rights and the pronouncements of the courts of competent jurisdiction. President Buhari should note that the war on corruption should neither be vindictive nor selective as selective justice amounts to injustice.
* That the National Assembly and State Assemblies should legislate the prohibition of nomadic grazing by herdsmen and therefore call on the National Assembly to oppose the grazing bill in both chambers.
* That the Southern governors and the State Assemblies of the South are advised to follow the Ekiti model of handling herdsmen attack without rancor.
* That President Buhari should respect the rule of law, prouncement and ruling of courts of competent jurisdiction by ensuring the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu and all other prisoners of conscience which various courts have granted bail and who have subsequently met their bail condition. The principles of separation of power must be applied to advance our democracy and strict adherence to acceptable dignified tenets of investigation, arrest and prosecution be applied.
* That the Northern elders desist from infusing the present administration that “we versus them” mentality which is responsive for creating division and suspicion in the policy. Therefore, the government should consciously ensure equitable distribution of appointment and projects.
* We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to take positive steps to ensure the implementations of the 2014 National conference without further delay.
* As a matter of urgency, government should find solution to our infrastructural deficit, particularly electricity supply and rehabilitation of federal roads in Southern Nigeria.
* We call on the federal government to negotiate with the Niger Delta agitators/Avengers and the agitators for Biafra to find a peaceful resolution of the grievances rather than the current use of force.
* That the fight against corruption should be total and inclusive where prosecution, conviction and recovery of loot should be applied irrespective of status, political affiliation and ethnicity. Plea bargaining should be discontinued.
* That the SNPA in collaboration with Southern Governors organize a Southern economic summit for economic collaboration and cooperation between their states and to enhance economic diversification.
* We oppose the present proposal for sale of public assets in any guise to avoid further abuse and misappropriation.
