By Onwukwe Ezeru, Abia
The Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to run the country transparently by carrying every zone along. This, it said, would end agitation and marginalization, while calling for the implementation of the recommendation of the 2014 National Conference.
The call was made in Umuahia during the forum of Elders/ Management Committee of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly.
At the event, the South West Leader/ Statesman, Bishop Emmanuel Gbonigi, represented by Senator Femi Okoromu decried the present state of Nigeria, noting that the rising increase in the prices of staple food, unemployment/ job loss, insecurity and agitations have contributed to the woes of the country.
He maintained that the current economic situation calls for
restructuring, adding that the call for it started
during the days of NADECO, and on the Federal Government to hearken to the call for a better Nigeria.
On how to come out of the present recession, the South West leader urged the government to reduce the number of aides, welfare packages and allowances. He further said that the legislative arm should be fair and transparent for the sake of the country and to also reduce the huge amount they take home yearly while he frowned at foreign importation and called for the promotion of made-in-Nigeria goods and diversifying the economy to promote agriculture.
The elder statesman called for a reform in the banking sector, adding that some banks aid and abate treasurer looters. He also maintained that the fight for corruption must be total and sincere, those indicted must be tried and imprisoned, stressing that there should be no sacred cow in Nigeria.
He also advised the president to stop ethnic appointments and nip in the bud the Fulani herdsmen attack and to look into the agitation of MASSOB and the Niger Delta.
The statesman/ leader of South South, Chief Edwin Clark, said that the Southern forum cut across the states in the south zone of the country.
Clark called for the quick implementation of the 2014 Confab as contained in the report, adding, “it will strengthen the unity of Nigeria and solve the current agitation in the country.”
On the fight against corruption, Clark said that corruption was a
cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of the country, and called on the Federal government to bring to book all corrupt persons.
He lamented the effect of the current recession on Nigerians.
On his part, Leader of South East and former vice president of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, represented by Chief Mbazurike Amechi, called for greater synergy among Southern Nigeria People Assembly, adding that with unity among the zone, they can achieve their aims and aspirations.
He particularly appreciated Abia governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for
accepting to host the Assembly and promised that their intention and aspiration will surely be met as they progress.
Ikpeazu, while addressing the crowd, thanked the Southern Forum for choosing Abia and called for equal distribution of the country’s wealth to avoid agitation and marginalization.
