Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday disclosed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to end the reign of terror in the South-east.
Shettima made the disclosure at the unveiling of the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, in Bende local government area of Abia state.
Shettima said President Tinubu had been worried about the economic devastation inflicted on the South-east by non-state actors since he assumed office.
He also disclosed that the president was determined to deploy all available resources to eliminate the purveyors of falsehoods and propaganda that have become weapons against Nigeria’s unity.
In his speech, titled, “Why We Are All Umunna,” Shettima said Tinubu was concerned about the extensive economic devastation inflicted by non-state actors “on this beautiful region since we took office.”
“Tinubu is acutely aware that our commitment to Nigeria’s future remains incomplete as long as we grapple with the sinister operations of economic saboteurs who masquerade as advocates for the Ndi-Igbo.
“That’s why he’s determined to utilise all available resources to ensure that the peace we’re establishing in this region is not cosmetic.
“And we can’t guarantee it unless all of us see through the falsehoods and propaganda that have become weapons against our unity,” he said.
Shettima noted that the gory activities of the criminals holding the South-east captive were self-serving and “do not in any way represent the interests of Ndi-Igbo and the entire country.”
“The problem we are here to solve as a community, as an Umunna, is a creation of self-serving criminals who do not represent the interests of the Ndi-Igbo and Nigerians.
“Mr. President knows this better than all of us, and that’s why he has never held any group accountable for the infractions of law-breaking individuals who identify as their members. This, I believe, is the democracy we have all chosen.”
He, however, said the “catastrophic situation can’t be reversed unless the government involves the people who are the ears, legs and mouths in the region.”
“Today, we stand united to firmly declare: enough is enough.”.
He stressed the need for a coordinated intervention to tackle insecurity in the region head-on.
Shettima assured the south east people that the Tinubu administration “shall not rest until it fulfills its pledge to mitigate the crisis it inherited.”
“The seeds of progress can only sprout in the fertile soil of peace and security.
“This is why we take immense pride in the collaboration of all stakeholders and initiatives such as the Peace in the South-east project. This will ensure that the shield of security in the region isn’t a distant mirage in the landscape of aspirations.”
He commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and convener of the peace initiative, Kalu, for his efforts to restore lasting peace in the region.
Earlier, Kalu said his goal for initiating the PISE-P was to foster peace, unity, and development in the region.
“The South-east has long been known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, and enterprising people. Yet, we have faced our fair share of challenges, including socioeconomic disparities, insecurities, political tensions, and occasional conflicts.
“Our goals in the South-east project are clear. We aim to promote reconciliation among communities and individuals affected by past conflicts.
“We recognise the need to address the root causes of conflict, including socio-economic disparities and political tensions.”(NAN)
Tinubu pledges to end reign of terror in South-east – Shettima
