The Joint Body of South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, on Monday, slammed the Federal Government and governors from the geopolitical zone for their lack of commitment to arresting the spate of killings in the area.
The JBoSEMB regretted that the Presidency and the South-East governors had ignored its requests for meetings to find lasting solutions to the festering issue of insecurity in the zone.
These were some of the highlights of a communiqué issued after the monarchs and clerics’ meeting, which held in Enugu on Monday.
The monarchs and religious leaders recalled how their intervention in the build-up to the November 6, 2021 Anambra State governorship election paid off, leading to the de-escalation of tension and peaceful conduct of the poll.
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council, Ezeogo Charles Mkpuma; emeritus outgoing Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev Anthony Obinna; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; and the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma.
Other signatories are the Methodist Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev Chibuzor Opoko; Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Okeke; Bishop Obi Onubogu and Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu.
They said that the achievement on the Anambra election was a product of extensive behind-the-scene consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The JBoSEMB said, “The response to the appeal by political actors in committing to a peaceful election as well as by IPOB in cancelling its seven-day sit-at-home order paved the way for a peaceful governorship election in Anambra State. The joint body wishes to thank all stakeholders for the respect accorded it in this regard.
“In a bid to sustain the momentum gained, on November 3, 2021, the joint body wrote a letter to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), requesting an audience.
“The purpose of the request was to initiate dialogue and explore avenues for peace-building and douse the tension in the South-East to ensure it does not result in grave socio-economic burden on our people. The joint body fears that further delay or inaction on this request may have the unintended consequence of giving credence, albeit erroneously, to the belief by some groups in the region that restoring peace and stability is not the primary goal of the Federal Government.
“In the same vein, genuine efforts made through the Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum to discuss with the South-East governors have so far also met a brick wall. Taken together, the shuttered silence gives room for suspicion and presents ominous danger if left unattended to.
“The joint body is not unmindful of widely reported visit of a group led by the elder statesman, Pa Mbazulike Amechi. However, the absence of any discernible genuine effort at peace building as well as the silence of the Presidency on our request for constructive engagement will further seem to give credence to the suspicion in some quarters of a clear lack of strong commitment to peace building and resolution of security challenges in the South-East.
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