By TINA TIMOTHY

The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops have said that activities aimed at restoring peace and security in the South-East seem to be meeting a brickwall as “responses from those in authority are failing to stem the tide of violence”.

This is contained in a joint statement made available to the press dated Monday, March 7, 2022. It was signed by the Chairman, Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council & Chairman,

South East Council of Traditional Rulers, H.M. Igwe Charles Mkpuma; Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, H.M. Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR; Chairman,

Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, H.M. Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, OON; Chairman, Imo State Traditional Rulers Council, H.M. Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke; Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna; Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko, TFG, DOB, JP; Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke; Past Principal Clerk Presbyterian Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr Uma A. Onwunta; Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, H.M. Eze Joseph N. Nwabeke; Bishop Obi Onubogu of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel O. Chukwuma, OON.

The statement reads: “The Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops wishes to bring to members of the general public an up-to-date report on our activities in support of the initiatives aimed at restoring the peace, security and robust enterprise for which the South East is known.

“You may recall that, confronted with the escalation of insecurity in the South-East, and concerned that the responses of those in authority were failing to stem the tide of violence, especially in the run-up to the Gubernatorial Elections in Anambra State, the

Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops issued a public appeal on Sunday, 30th October, 2021, for a

de-escalation and suspension of the IPOB sit-at-home order. We undertook extensive behind-the-scenes consultations with all relevant stakeholders. This appeal was predicated on separate statements made by Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, and by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, on 7th and 18th October, 2021, respectively.

“The response to the appeal by political actors in committing to a peaceful election, as well as by IPOB in cancelling its seven-day sit-at-home order, paved the way for peaceful Governorship election in Anambra State. The Joint Body wishes to thank all stakeholders for the respect accorded to it in this regard.

“In a bid to sustain the momentum gained, on November 3, 2021, the Joint Body wrote a letter to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), requesting an audience.

“The purpose of the request was to dialogue and explore avenues for peace-building, douse the tension in the South East to ensure it does not result in grave socio-economic burden on our people. The joint Body fears that further delay or inaction on this request may have the unintended consequence of giving credence, albeit erroneously, to the belief by some groups in the region that restoring peace and stability is not the primary goal of the Federal Government. In the same vein, genuine efforts made through the Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum to dialogue with South East Governors have so far also met a brick wall. Taken together, the shuttered silence gives room for suspicion and presents ominous portends if left unattended to. The Joint Body is not unmindful of widely reported visit of a group led by the Elder Statesman, Pa Mbazulike Amechi. However, the absence of any discernible genuine effort at peace building as well as the silence of the Presidency on our request for constructive engagement would further seem to give credence to the suspicion in some quarters of a clear lack of strong commitment to peace building and resolution of security challenges in the South East.

“It has been three months since the letter was written and delivered to the office of the President. The Presidency has neither acknowledged receipt nor responded to the letter.

“It is puzzling that the President and the South East Governors appear to be ignoring the demonstrated value of dialogue and consensus-building in finding a lasting solution to the region’s security issues. As leaders who are continuously required by our burden of service to interface with the populace, the Joint Body is desirous of confirming the sincerity and commitment of the Federal Government, in particular, to finding a lasting solution to the security crisis.

“In anticipation of audience with the Federal and State Governments, however, the Joint Body has continued fastidiously with its engagement with stakeholders across the dimensions of the conflict and ensuing insecurity, a rigorous fact-finding and data gathering exercises, and bridge-building through dialogue and moral suasion.

“The Joint Body urges the President and State Governors to grant audience as requested so that all hands can be on deck towards restoring peace and security in the region while improving the welfare of its citizenry.”