The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on the leaders, stakeholders and all the indigenes of the South-East region of Nigeria to rise up with united ideas and efforts to combat the rising security crisis ravaging the region.
Obi, who is a former governor of Anambra said this in a message he delivered during the South-East Summit on Economy and Security held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
He stressed that only united efforts could lead to the surmounting of the insecurity that had continued to cripple businesses and economic activities in the region.
He noted that the people of the region were predominantly businessmen, but that they had gradually lost their sources of income and living as a result of the activities of hoodlums who were terrorising the entire South-East.
Obi therefore urged the South-East leaders to come together and speak up on ways to end what he described as the embarrassing insecurity which is alien to the people of the region.
The Labour Party presidential candidate said, “This summit which is focusing merely on security and its economic impact on the Southeast has come at the most auspicious time. It’s very necessary that as a people we come together, and put our heads together to find a lasting solution to this problem of insecurity in our homeland.
“Our mainstay as a people is business, no business and indeed any other economic activity would thrive amid insecurity.
“If we put our minds to it and work in unity and mutual trust, we will find a way out of this problem that is alien to us.
“Let me therefore commend your excellencies, the governors of the Southeast for initiating the idea of the summit and working together to make this a reality.
“Let me urge everyone at this summit and those of us who are unable to attend in person to speak up, contribute ideas, and be part of the initiatives or actions that would be agreed upon at this summit to bring an end to the problem of insecurity in our region.
“God to guide us, grant us the wisdom, strength, and courage to take the necessary steps to end insecurity in our homeland so that we can continue to work with our God-given talent and energy to restore peace, tranquility in the Southeast and indeed our dear country Nigeria.”
