The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers has expressed great concern with the incessant killings and destruction of property in the zone in recent times.
The Council of Traditional Rulers in the region, therefore, called for an end to what it described as the “general atmosphere of fear and progressive militarisation in the geo-political zone”.
It said this via a joint statement issued by Eze Joseph Nwabeke, (Abia); Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, (Anambra); Igwe L.O. Agubuzu, (Enugu) and Eze E.C. Okeke (Imo) chairmen of traditional rulers in the South-East and made available to DAILY POST.
The traditional rulers explained, “We believe that the dire situation in the country today calls for statesmanship, open and sincere dialogue in the search for compromises, not growing militarisation which may ultimately threaten the very existence of the country.”
The statement enjoined all the disaffected individuals and groups in the zone to sheath their swords and rally together for mutual forgiveness and healing to end the internal strife, assuring that it would pave way for positive development in the zone.
It noted that cutting their nose to spite their face does not help their present situation, stressing that it is senseless to destroy their homeland or be an accessory to its destruction in order to prove their marginalisation.
The statement appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation and release Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
The rulers observed that the appeal became necessary to restore genuine peace and normalcy in the South-East based on justice, equity, fairness, love, mutual understanding and respect.
They advised IPOB and its affiliate units to immediately stop all provocative rhetorics and actions that promoted violence, fear and unlawful acts in the region and promote measures that would ensure peaceful coexistence.
The council of traditional rulers suggested, “As part of creating the enabling environment for reconciliation and peacebuilding, the ongoing sit-at-home on Mondays or any other day in the South-East should end forthwith.”
