Abuja (Precise Post) – In a move to avoid mob action against them and to assuage their people who feel that no efforts are being made by the leaders of the South East to tackle insecurity and economic challenges facing the zone, the governors in south east have written to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to delay the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and act against the criminality of the Fulani herdsmen in the region.
The South East Governors Forum also asked the president to approve its earlier decision banning herders who have no cattle, as well as the movement of cattle by foot in the region.
Coming three days after a senior politician from the region, Ike Ekweremadu, was attacked in Germany, the governors said they were making the letter public to assuage public allegations that they were not doing enough to check growing insecurity in the region.
“We plead with Mr. President that we publish this letter to assuage our people’s feelings who erroneously think that no efforts are being made by the leaders of the South East to tackle insecurity and economic challenges facing the zone and to let them know that her leaders before now have been working very hard without making noise as issues of security must not be discussed in the public,” the letter was signed by the chairman of the forum and governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, said.
Precise Post recalls that Senator Ekweremadu, was mobbed and manhandled on Saturday by members of IPOB, a secessionist group in the region, who accused him of not rising in defence of South East people against insecurity.
The group threatened further attacks on other leaders from the region.
The letter to President Buhari said the postponement of the closure of the Enugu airport will allow adequate arrangements to be made for travellers.
