Northern governors' visit to South-East

The Northern Governors Forum went on a peace mission to the south eastern part of the country after the bloody clash between some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Nigerian Soldiers in Aba, Abia state last week. They invited their counterparts from South-south, and South east to facilitate their dialogue, which was aimed at promoting communal peace and unity in the country.

According to the statement of the Northern Gov­ernors Forum’ Chairman, Kashim Shettima of Borno state, which he made after he led the delegation of five governors on an advocacy visit to Rivers, Abia and Imo states to promote peace.

“The visit will afford them the opportunity to assess first hand, efforts made by their colleagues in the North to prevent escalation of the recent crisis in Abia. It will also reaffirm the need for all Nigerians to feel safe in all parts of the country irrespective of their ethnic or religious inclination,” he said.

During the visits to Port Harcourt, Umuahia and Ower­ri, Shettima commended the host governors for the resolute manner they handled the IPOB im­broglio.

According to Shettima, “We want to thank you for the leadership you have shown in difficult times. As leaders, we all have critical roles to play in enhancing peace and unity of this nation.

“We have visited all these states to show solidarity and to encourage you our brothers. You rose to the occasion when faced with difficulties. Your actions, collectively and individu­ally, have given hope that Nige­ria will rise above any challenge to its unity.

“We all owe it a duty to the black race to make Nigeria work.”

Addressing members of the Northern community in Abia, Shettima urged them to contin­ue to be law-abiding and respect the norms and traditions of their host communities.

He added that adequate ar­rangements have been made by the government and security agencies for their safety.

In their various remarks, Governors Nyesom Wike of Riv­ers, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Rochas Okorocha of Imo, com­mended the Northern Gover­nors for the visit.

They urged the federal gov­ernment to promote unity by ensuring all parts of the country have a sense of belonging.

They said when issues of se­curity are on the table, political and other interests should take the back seat.

They all commended the Northern Governors for ensur­ing that the crisis did not spill over to other parts of the coun­try, saying their visit will go a long way to reassure citizens that their leaders have not aban­doned them.

“Your visit here has increased my faith in the unity of Nigeria. By coming here, it has shown that the strings that bind us is still holding firm,” Governor Ik­peazu noted.

The Northern Gover­nors in the Shettima delegation were Aminu Masari of Katsina, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Ati­ku Bagudu of Kebbi and Simon Lalong of Plateau.