By TINA TIMOTHY

Enugu State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Frank Nweke Jr., has charged security operatives and other relevant authorities to ensure determined efforts to fix security challenges in the country and, specifically, in the Southeast.

In a press statement on Monday, September 12, 2022, the two-time Federal Minister and former Director General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), while reacting to the attack on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Anambra South, whose convoy was attacked around Nkwo Enugwu Ukwu Market axis of Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday, September 11, commiserated with Ubah and those who lost family members in the attack, describing it as “beyond worrisome.”

The statement reads: “I received with horror, the news of the attack on Senator Ifeanyi Uba's convoy in Anambra State. I thank God for sparing the life of Sen. Uba and deeply commiserate with him and the families of his aides and the security agents who sadly, lost their lives.

“These incessant reports of violence are beyond worrisome as the lives of Nigerians are lost daily, brutally cutting short their hopes, leaving families in sorrow and many, without breadwinners. No one can pretend to have a cloak of safety considering the breaches in our security and the breakdown of law and order.”

Nweke further said that as elections approach, threats and violent attacks pose obvious danger to the country’s democracy, adding that “there must be clear and concerted efforts to restore confidence in the populace and in our democracy.”

“We cannot continue this way, where threats and violent attacks are used to settle scores of any kind. This poses a clear and present danger to our democracy, especially in an election year.

“The upsurge in political awareness and participation as more people demand accountable, credible and transparent leadership should not be stifled with fear and uncertainty.

“I call on our security operatives and other relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are all brought to justice and more resolute steps are taken to resolve the security challenges in the country and more specifically, in the Southeast.

“There must be clear and concerted efforts to restore confidence in the populace and in our democracy. People must be assured that they can go about their daily activities without worry and that the elections will take place in a safe atmosphere.

“I believe that our security agencies are aware of the grave danger we face and as such, will deploy all necessary action to bring the guilty to book and prevent further attacks,” he added.