Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to the people of the South East to sustain peace and prevent their youth from engaging in armed struggle against the Federal Government.
Akpabio made the plea on Saturday during the funeral of Sir Albert Ikechukwu Nnamani, former Administrative Secretary of the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), held in Ikem, Enugu State.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Akpabio emphasised that development can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere and urged Ndigbo to properly mentor the younger generation.
“For Ndigbo, I want to plead with you to continue to maintain the peace and watch the youth of today. They don’t understand politics. They don’t understand development. You can only have development in an area of peace,” Akpabio said.
He warned that any attempt to wrest power or assert independence through armed struggle would fail, stating that “State power will always overwhelm you.”
The Senate President assured the South East of the National Assembly’s commitment to address historical imbalances, particularly by legislating for the creation of an additional state in the zone to achieve equity with other geopolitical zones.
“We are prepared as a parliament to make the right laws, to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in order for Ndigbo to have, at least, an additional state. So that they will also be equal to the other zones of the country. That is the promise we make and we stand by it,” he declared.
Akpabio noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is working to correct past marginalisation, citing efforts in appointments, while stressing the importance of peaceful negotiation.
“I’m saying this to underscore the fact that through peaceful means and negotiation, we shall get our right of place in Nigeria,” he added.
He expressed concern over the economic impact of the sit-at-home order in the South East, particularly its effect on commercial hubs like Onitsha, and reminded Ndigbo of their reputation for enterprise even after the setbacks of the civil war.
Akpabio lamented the absence of proper reconstruction in the South East and South-South after the Biafra war, describing it as a missing component despite efforts at reconciliation and rehabilitation.
He prayed that justice would be done to the people of the South East within their lifetime.
Paying tribute to the late Sir Albert Ikechukwu Nnamani, the Senate President commended his integrity and contributions to the Niger Delta region during his time at OMPADEC.
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