Ekwueme
Nouthern
Nigeria leaders, under the aegis of Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly
(SNPA), have condemned the rumoured existence of a bill in the National
Assembly seeking the establishment of grazing reserves across Nigeria.
They described the move as anachronistic
and antiquated, adding that private commercial ventures should not be
elevated into national or government business.
The statement, which was read by the
Coordinating Secretary of SNPA, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, in Asaba, the Delta
State capital, deplored the rampaging attack, raping and killing of
innocent Nigerians, especially the recent killings in Enugu, Benue and
other states by the notorious Fulani herdsmen.
Among the people at the three-day
meeting were former Vice President Alex Ekwueme (represented by former
Anambra State governor, Chukuwuemeka Ezeife; Ijaw National Leader Chief
Edwin Clark, represented by Senator Roland Owie and Senator Femi
Okorounmu, who stood in for Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi.
Ekwueme represented the South East while Clark and Gbonigi represented the South-South and the South West respectively.
They said that the grazing bill portends
danger to the nation as it will institute a source of permanent
conflict in the land, especially the federal structure of the country
and the 1999 Constitution, which vested the power to hold land in the 36
states of the country and the Minister of the Federal Capital
Territory.
The leaders said: “The President should
deal decisively with the issue of Fulani herdsmen in the manner
government is dealing with the insurgency problem, that if unchecked,
has the capacity to snowball to another Boko Haram.
“Consequently, he should set up a
Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate all Fulani herdsmen attacks
between May 2015 till date and all those found to be directly or
remotely involved in those attacks should be arrested and brought to
book.”
The leaders observed that the inability
of President Buhari to begin the implementation of the resolutions of
the 2014 National Conference was objectionable, as the resolutions, if
implemented, may help in resolving many political, socio-economic and
security challenges of the country.
While calling on Nigerians to support
Buhari in his anti-corruption drive, war on insurgency and his effort at
reviving ailing industries, the Southern leaders urged the president to
respect the rule of law, the protection of citizens’ fundamental human
rights and the pronouncements of the courts.
They advised that the war on corruption
should neither be vindictive nor selective as selective justice amounts
to injustice, and the immediate release of all Nigerians which various
courts have given bail and have subsequently met their bail conditions.
Also, they advised the Northern Elders
Forum to desist from infusing in the present administration the “we and
they” mentality, which they say usually creates division and confusion
in the polity.
“The Northern Elders Forum should
realise that President Muhammadu Buhari is the President of Nigeria and
not the President 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.”
They urged government to look into the
gaps that existed in the foreign exchange market and bridge it and to
also find solutions to the lingering fuel supply gaps and the epileptic
electricity supply in the country.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who
was represented by his Special Adviser of Labour, Mr. Mike Okeme,
charged the assembly to use the platform to promote the unity of the
country as development could only thrive in a peaceful and secured
atmosphere.
He said: “You are here to deliberate and proffer solutions to some of the national issues.
“As you discuss, you should ensure that you represent the county in a positive light.
“You should also use this platform to keep Nigeria united.”
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