They made their feelings known during an enlarged meeting between the Southeast Governors’ Forum, Federal and State lawmakers, ministers, religious and traditional leaders, as well as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
DAILY POST reports that the meeting is a follow up to the consultation the Presidential delegation, led by the Minister of Defence, rtd Maj.Gen. Bashir Magashi, had with leaders in the zone, on June 11, following rising insecurity in the region.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, said the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to one nation built on fairness, love and respect for one another.
He, however, said the zone was saddened by threats against Ndigbo, calling on leaders of other regions in the country to rise to the occasion.
“We have noted threats by some groups in some other regions against our people of South East. While we firmly promise to protect every one either from our own region or other regions living in our place, we call on leaders in other regions to take of note the threats and take proper action,” he said.
Umahi said the leaders will set up committee to articulate the demands of the region, particularly as it relates to insecurity and meet with the federal government.
He regretted that although leaders in he south east had reassured people from other regions of their safety, Ndigbo were still being threatened, especially in the north.
He maintained that the impression that leaders in the zone were silent over the rising wave of agitation was wrong as they have come out publicly to speak against the agitations.
“We have again endorsed Ebubeagu and asked them to work with security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property of the people in the south east,” he said.
