Governors from the Southeast zone yesterday condemned the
relocation of Boko Haram suspects to Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra state.
They noted that the presence of the terror suspects in
the region was creating tension and fear and urged the federal government to
relocate them to Abuja “where there is security”
The governors might have been referring to the series of
protests in Anambra state by traders and some community leaders over the
relocation of the prisoners to the state.
The governors met yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State
capital.
Apart from host Goveror Rochas Okorocha. In attendance
were Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi was represented by
Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe.
Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano was “unavoidably
absent” according to Okorocha.
The Imo State governor told reporters after the
meeting that lasted for about two and a half hours deliberated on the
possible consequences of the relocation of the Boko Haram suspects and
concluded that it was not in the best interest of the zone.
He said though the decision was purely a security matter,
it has far-reaching effect on the psyche of the people in the zone. “We are
appealing to the Federal Government to have a rethink on the relocation of the
Boko Haram suspects. If there is any place they should be relocated to it
should be Abuja where they have enough security.
The issue is already creating
security concern in the zone”.
He however ruled out any plan by the governors to recall
Igbo in the troubled North, stressing that, “we are all part of the entity
called Nigeria and we share in the plight of our brothers in the North East, so
it is not the issue of recalling the Igbo in any part of the country but to
make sure that they are secured anywhere they find themselves”.
The Forum according to him, also deliberated on the fate
of the Igbo displaced in the North as a result of the insurgency and appealed
to the Federal Government to adequately compensate them.
Other decisions by the governors are that Enugu State
should remain the capital of the Southeast and the meeting point of the
Southeast Governors’ Forum.
According to him: “We have met today and agreed to work
together as governors from the Southeast zone to combat security challenges
confronting the zone, especially kidnapping, armed robbery and baby factory. We
are going to write the Federal Government to adequately equip security
operatives in the zone to ensure adequate security in the zone”.
He said the Forum had agreed to build an economic hub in
the zone to boost trade, which he said is the main occupation of the people:
“We have looked at the current economic situation in the country and how it
affects our people who are majorly traders and we have decided to build an economic
hub in the zone and a committee was set up for that and it is headed by the
Abia state governor”.
He said that the South East governors have come to
realize the need for them to come together and work in the overall interest of
the people of the zone since the period of politics had come and gone and what
is now left is service delivery to the people of the area.
The governors disowned Radio Biafra and said the
Radio in question does not have the endorsement of the SouthEast governors. And
that the security agencies would do their job.
Okorocha also said the South East governors have resolved
to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to catalogue what the administration
will do for the people of South East zone
The Forum also agreed to create an economic hub. A
committee to work on it will be chaired by the Abia State governor.
The Nation
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