It will be recalled that the governors of southern Nigeria were behind the formation of the Southern Nigeria Peoples' Assembly in order to put up a united front to checkmate the activities of their Northern counterparts.
The
leaders also said that in order for the principles of separation of
powers to be applied to advance democracy, the Indigenous People of
Biafra ( IPOB) and similar non-violent bodies should be treated fairly
and given opportunity if hearing.
SNPA made these pronouncements in Asaba during its meeting which held at Best Western Elemaz Hotel.
The
meeting, attended by the State Governor (represented), was chaired by
former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, who was also
represented by a former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka
Ezeife.
Other
leaders who were at the meeting include co-chair and leader of
South-South, Senator Rowland Owie, Bishop Emmanuel Gbonigi, co-chair and
leader of the South West, represented by Senator Femi Okurounmu.
The
SNPA, which deliberated on the security, socio-political and economic
situations of the country, persistent killing of Nigerians by Fulanis,
and issues bordering on establishment of grazing reserves in parts of
the country.
In
its first resolution, the group said: “We urge him(Buhari) to respect
the rule of law, the protection of citizens fundamental human rights and
the pronouncements of courts of competent jurisdiction. The president
should note that the war on corruption should neither be vindictive nor
selective.
“We
call on President Buhari to ensure immediate release of all Nigerians
which various courts have given bail and have subsequently met their
bail conditions. IPOB and other similar non-violent bodies should be
treated fairly and given opportunity to be heard.
“The
president should commence the implementation of the resolutions of the
2014 National Conference to resolve the continuing contradictions in the
Nigerian polity and to lay solid foundation for more just and equitable
Nigerian society.”
The
leaders also urged Northern elders to stop infusing the ‘we and they’
mentality in the present government ‘which usually create division and
confusion in the polity’. “The Northern Elders Forum should realize that
President Buhari is the president of Nigeria, and not just of northern
Nigeria. The government is therefore for the entire Nigeria and
programmes and projects should be for the overall development and growth
of the country and not a section of it”.
On
the increasing killings by Fulani cattle rearers, the leaders said that
“the president should deal decisively the with the issue of Fulani
herdsmen to avoid it snowballing into another Boko Haram. Consequently,
he should commission a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate all
Fulani attack since May 2015 and make the perpetrators face the wrath of
the law”.
The group thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who hosted them in the Delta State capital city.
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