Governors, leaders, and stakeholders in the south-east region of the country have appealed to the Federal Government to look into the demands of youths with the aim of solving them as it relates to #EndSARS protests.
The leaders said this during a meeting held on Sunday in Enugu State with the presidential delegation led by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who is the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The meeting had in attendance senators, House of Representatives members, traditional, religious, and youth leaders in Enugu State and governors led by Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum, Governor Dave Umahi.
During the meeting which lasted for several hours, the governors and leaders appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the various demands of stakeholders of the region for its development, peace, and security.
Umahi expressed;
We, therefore, request the President to look into the demands of various groups and youths as presented today with a view to solving them.
South-East people believe in one Nigeria and this is the reason we are in every part of this country erecting infrastructures and doing our businesses.
Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu; Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, and a host of other Federal Executive Council members were also at the meeting.
The leaders also called for joint operation by security agencies and local vigilant groups into all forests in the zone to flush out criminals and killer herdsmen with AK47 rifles.
Umahi noted;
We pledge our commitment to continuous coexistence with peaceful herdsmen who have been living peacefully with us. We stand for an indivisible and united Nigeria, built on love, fairness, equity and justice. We believe that under this platform – NIGERIA; we are bigger and stronger.
The South-eastern leaders said that the states in the zone will provide money for the compensation for those affected by the #EndSARS protest, help to rebuild police stations and their logistics; while engaging the youths constantly to forestall any violent development in the zone.
They said;
We have plans to set up various empowerment programmes to gainfully engage the youths. The governors also plan to mainstream the youths in their governance to give them a sense of belonging.
We thank leaders of other zones for protecting our people and their businesses within their areas; We pledge to do same in the entire South-East.
