Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Edo group condemns secession threats, advocates restructuring through referendum

By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City
14 September 2017   |   4:04 am
A group, Concerned Edo Leaders of Thought (CELT), has criticised calls in some quarters for disintegration of the country.

A group, Concerned Edo Leaders of Thought (CELT), has criticised calls in some quarters for disintegration of the country. It said the mode of restructuring should be subjected to a referendum where Nigerians would decide how it should be done.

Addressing a press conference in Benin City, president of the group, Col. Paul Ogbebor (rtd), also urged ethnic groups to refrain from making inflammatory statements and hate-speeches, which he said, fan embers of “discord, violence and disunity,” adding that they should rather seek peace and “resolution of contending national issues”

A press statement jointly signed by Ogbebor, secretary of the association, Deacon Sunny Idubor; vice president (Edo Central), Mr. Julius Akhanoba; vice president (Edo North), Theresa Kadiri and vice president (Edo South), Dr. Mike Asemota, said 30 per cent of the wealth of the country should be invested in research and 40 per cent of it in agriculture.

They added: “Eighty per cent of all project designs and execution should by law be executed only by Nigerians to save the import of technology and work-force and the export of our scarce foreign currency. Nigerians that were in 1965 able to successfully execute Jos to Baro railway extension should after 55 years be able to successfully execute all new railway lines and extensions instead of the current use of foreigners.

“That the restive groups in Nigeria should sheath their swords and toe the path of dialogue and peaceful co-existence within a united Nigeria. Suffice to say that any action that will lead to another civil war must be avoided at all costs.

“We believe in the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and therefore not in support of any idea of secession by any component part that makes up the country no matter how well intentioned by the agitators. The country stands to benefit more both at home and within the comity of nations as a united and indivisible entity.”

In this article

0 Comments