By Ikenna Orioha
The Forum of State Chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) South East, has sued for peace and dialogue between the South and the North to resolve political and economic issues that cause insecurity, killings and arsons in the country.
The forum made the call when it paid a solidarity visit to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, at the Government House, Owerri on Sunday.
In a release signed and made available to journalists after the meeting by Hon. Donatus Nwanpka, Abia, Dr. Ben Nwoye, Enugu, Barr. Marcellanous Nlemaigbo, Imo, Hon Stanley Okoro, Ebonyi and Hon. Basil Ejidike Amambra States, begged aggrieved citizens to sheath their swords and embrace peace and dialogue.
“The Forum of South East APC State Chairmen at this point call on our dear brothers, sisters and fellow Nigerians from all divides to sheath their swords, exercise restraints, place the nation above our individual interest as we explore the principle of positive dialogue and round table negotiations to save this generation and generation yet unborn”.
While identifying with and commending southern governors for taking bold positions and stand on how to move forward, the forum told President Mohammadu Buhari to ignore detractors as he creates admissible avenues for positive and fruitful national dialogue which it believes will involve governors, opinion leaders, national assembly members, youths, state, local, political and cultural leaders to chat a positive way forward.
Lauding Governor Hope Uzodimma for the maturity with which he handled insecurity in the state, the group condemned the wanton destruction of property, loss of lives at the Governor’s native home and the trivialisation of governance by perceived enemies of Imo State.
Thus, the forum had joined voices with the Imo State chapter of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), to appreciate Uzodimma on his “quality, purposeful leadership and the infrastructural development revolution”, adding that it is very proud of the Governor of Imo and Ebonyi States whose sterling performances are used as yardsticks to measuring good governance across the country.