TheCable

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says some forces exploiting insecurity in the south-east for dangerous political agenda.

Shettima spoke on Friday, in Bende, Abia state, during the unveiling of the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) by Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives.

According to Shettima, President Bola Tinubu has been worried about the economic devastation inflicted on the south-east by non-state actors since he assumed office.

He said the president is determined to deploy all available resources to eliminate the purveyors of falsehoods and propaganda that have become weapons against Nigeria’s unity.

Before the unveiling ceremony, Tinubu was conferred with the traditional title of Omeziri Igbo 1 at the grand civic reception held in honour of the deputy speaker.

Shettima, who received the title on behalf of the president, was also conferred with the traditional title of Enyioma Ndigbo by Linus Mbah, chairman of the Abia state council of traditional rulers.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been concerned about the extensive economic devastation inflicted by non-state actors on this beautiful region since we took office,” Shettima said.

“He is acutely aware that our commitment to Nigeria’s future remains incomplete as long as we grapple with the sinister operations of economic saboteurs who masquerade as advocates for the Ndi-Igbo.

“That’s why he’s determined to utilize all available resources to ensure that the peace we’re establishing in this region is not cosmetic, and we can’t guarantee it unless all of us see through the falsehoods and propaganda that have become weapons against our unity.”

Shettima noted that the gory activities of the criminals holding the south-east captive are self-serving and do not in any way represent the interests of Ndi-Igbo and the entire country.

“The problem we are here to solve as a community, as an Umunna, is a creation of self-serving criminals who do not represent the interests of the Ndi-Igbo and Nigerians,” he added.

“Mr President knows this better than all of us, and that’s why he has never held any group accountable for the infractions of law-breaking individuals who identify as their members. This, I believe, is the democracy we have all chosen.”

Pointing out that the criminals disrupting the peace in the region are doing so in connivance with “forces exploiting the situation for dangerous political agenda,” Shettima said attempts to undo the hard work of the nation’s heroes past will fail.

He noted that the “catastrophic situation” cannot be reversed unless the government involves the people whom he said are the ears, legs and mouths in the region.

“Today, we stand united to firmly declare: enough is enough,” Shettima said.

The VP noted the need for a coordinated intervention to tackle insecurity in the region head-on, assuring the south-east people that the Tinubu administration “shall not rest until it fulfills its pledge to mitigate the crisis” it inherited.

Noting that no better visionary can save the nation from implosion than Tinubu, he said the development agenda of the federal government in the south-east will continue to elude the region if “the intricate web of security challenges” the Tinubu-led administration inherited is not contained.

“The seeds of progress can only sprout in the fertile soil of peace and security. This is why we take immense pride in the collaboration of all stakeholders and initiatives such as the Peace in South East Project, to ensure that the shield of security in the region isn’t a distant mirage in the landscape of aspirations,” Shettima said.

Shettima commended Kalu for his efforts to restore lasting peace in the south-east.

‘PISE-P AIMED AT FOSTERING PEACE’

Speaking earlier, Kalu said his goal for initiating PISE-P was to foster peace, unity, and development in the region.

He said the project also aims at promoting reconciliation among communities and individuals affected by past conflicts.

“When I embarked on the south-east project, my vision was clear — to foster peace, unity, and development in our region through a non-kinetic approach,” Kalu said.

“The south-east has long been known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, and enterprising people. Yet, we have faced our fair share of challenges, including socioeconomic disparities, insecurities, political tensions, and occasional conflicts.

“Our goals in the south-east project are clear. We aim to promote reconciliation among communities and individuals affected by past conflicts.

“We recognize the need to address the root causes of conflict, including socio-economic disparities and political tensions.

“Empowering communities is another crucial goal of the project, providing them with the necessary resources, skills, and opportunities for sustainable development.”