Amgbare Ekaunkumo,Yenagoa
A call has gone to the Federal Government to seek the option of dialogue with the regions to forestall the quest for separation, saying that it is the only panacea to suppress several agitations for a break away from the county by the regions.
Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, made the call on a live program, on Glory FM 97.1 in Yenagoa on Thursday, while reacting to the arrest of
the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, and Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, by the federal government.
Chief Cocodia stressed that the arrests would only trigger more agitations from the people, against the idea that it might silence any possible intention of separation nursed by individuals, groups or the regions.
According to him, agitations and quests to secede from the country are legitimate when reasons given are cogent, however, if the government is totally against it, then the best way to address it is to meet with the leaders of the aggrieved groups for dialogue.
“Looking at the situation in the country, are there reasons for agitations, the answer is clearly Yes. Is the federal government working towards reducing the need for agitations, the answer is No. Is the federal character principle adhered to, the answer is No. Are Nigerians more united than before, the answer is No, are farmers comfortable working on their farmers? the answer is No. Now, that is the situation we find ourselves.
“If the issues clamoured for by Nigerians are not addressed, the issue of fairness and equity, the issue of having federal character principle being played, no matter how little the agitations might be, it will continue.
“For me I would suggest to the APC led federal government to look into what Nigerians are complaining about, which include fairness and equity, federal character principle must be adhered to strictly, the economy and security challenges must be tackled”.
