2023: What I will do to end the unrest in Biafra - Atiku
People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has blamed the Southeast's "sense of marginalization" on Biafra's unrest in the region.
However, he assured that, if elected, he would tackle the "feeling of marginalization" in the Southeast in order to put an end to the unrest in the region.
Atiku spoke at the South Eastern PDP leaders meeting in Enugu State on Tuesday.
The event was aimed at “uniting all Ndigbo for the PDP” and the presentation of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who is Atiku’s running mate.
The PDP candidate said his Nigeria bailout package would benefit the southeast and other regions, saying his administration will take steps to improve the country's future.
"We must fight against the feeling of marginalization that serves as an excuse for separatist agitations in this area," he said.
Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Party National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and party gubernatorial candidates in Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia States were among those who attended the meeting.
Others include former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, and some of the party's Senate and House of Representative candidates in the region .
Also present at the meeting were prominent PDP leaders, including former party spokesperson, Oliseh Metuh, a former Senate Speaker, Anyim Anyim, a Senator representing Anambra Central District, Uche Ekwunife , Hyde Onuagulichi, among others.
The South East accuses successive Nigerian governments of marginalizing the region since the return of democracy in 1999.
Between 1999 and 2022, several separatist groups emerged to campaign for an independent state of Biafra which they want to see separated from the southeast and parts of the south-south.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a prominent, now-outlawed pro-Biafra organization was founded in 2014 by Nnamdi Kanu, who faces terrorism charges in Abuja.
Rising insecurity in the region has been linked to the IPOB.
IPOB, in 2021, declared a sit-at-home every Monday, to pressure the Nigerian government to release its detained leader, Mr. Kanu.
READ ALSO: 2023: Crisis hits Plateau PDP after Jang withdraws support for AtikuThe group would later suspend its previous order, preferring that the sit-at-home be implemented only on days when Mr. Kanu appears in court.
But, despite its suspension, residents of the five southeastern states - Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra - observed the Monday sit-at-home order, mainly out of fear.
>Atiku, speaking at the meeting, criticized the sit-at-home, saying it hurt the region's economy.
The PDP candidate wondered how the separatists were going to "liberate" the people by destroying their businesses.
"I am aware of how the economy of this area and the livelihoods of its people are being destroyed by the Monday sit-at-home imposed by a misguided youngster from this area.
“It is hard to understand how you liberate a people by destroying their economy. This must stop and we will address all political grievances not just with words but with deeds,” he said.
p>“I would like to listen to the specific issues unique to this area, which we need to address as a party and as a government. To this end, and without prejudice to what I will learn during these talks, I wish we had a joint committee from our campaign and the zone, with a representative from each state, to liaise on issues specific to the Southeast Zone that we will need to resolve if we work hard enough to win the election” , said Atiku.
His visit to the region took place hours before the official start of campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
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People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has blamed the Southeast's "sense of marginalization" on Biafra's unrest in the region.
However, he assured that, if elected, he would tackle the "feeling of marginalization" in the Southeast in order to put an end to the unrest in the region.
Atiku spoke at the South Eastern PDP leaders meeting in Enugu State on Tuesday.
The event was aimed at “uniting all Ndigbo for the PDP” and the presentation of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who is Atiku’s running mate.
The PDP candidate said his Nigeria bailout package would benefit the southeast and other regions, saying his administration will take steps to improve the country's future.
"We must fight against the feeling of marginalization that serves as an excuse for separatist agitations in this area," he said.
Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Party National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and party gubernatorial candidates in Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia States were among those who attended the meeting.
Others include former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, and some of the party's Senate and House of Representative candidates in the region .
Also present at the meeting were prominent PDP leaders, including former party spokesperson, Oliseh Metuh, a former Senate Speaker, Anyim Anyim, a Senator representing Anambra Central District, Uche Ekwunife , Hyde Onuagulichi, among others.
The South East accuses successive Nigerian governments of marginalizing the region since the return of democracy in 1999.
Between 1999 and 2022, several separatist groups emerged to campaign for an independent state of Biafra which they want to see separated from the southeast and parts of the south-south.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a prominent, now-outlawed pro-Biafra organization was founded in 2014 by Nnamdi Kanu, who faces terrorism charges in Abuja.
Rising insecurity in the region has been linked to the IPOB.
IPOB, in 2021, declared a sit-at-home every Monday, to pressure the Nigerian government to release its detained leader, Mr. Kanu.
READ ALSO: 2023: Crisis hits Plateau PDP after Jang withdraws support for AtikuThe group would later suspend its previous order, preferring that the sit-at-home be implemented only on days when Mr. Kanu appears in court.
But, despite its suspension, residents of the five southeastern states - Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra - observed the Monday sit-at-home order, mainly out of fear.
>Atiku, speaking at the meeting, criticized the sit-at-home, saying it hurt the region's economy.
The PDP candidate wondered how the separatists were going to "liberate" the people by destroying their businesses.
"I am aware of how the economy of this area and the livelihoods of its people are being destroyed by the Monday sit-at-home imposed by a misguided youngster from this area.
“It is hard to understand how you liberate a people by destroying their economy. This must stop and we will address all political grievances not just with words but with deeds,” he said.
p>“I would like to listen to the specific issues unique to this area, which we need to address as a party and as a government. To this end, and without prejudice to what I will learn during these talks, I wish we had a joint committee from our campaign and the zone, with a representative from each state, to liaise on issues specific to the Southeast Zone that we will need to resolve if we work hard enough to win the election” , said Atiku.
His visit to the region took place hours before the official start of campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
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