The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to youths in Nigeria’s South-East region to shun armed struggle and embrace peace, stressing that sustainable development can only thrive in a stable environment.
Akpabio made the call at the funeral of the former Administrative Secretary of the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission, Sir Albert Ikechukwu Nnamani, who was laid to rest in Ikem, Enugu State, on Saturday.
Addressing attendees, the Senate President urged the Ndigbo to guide their youths away from violence, noting that attempts to assert independence through armed struggle against the Federal Government would ultimately be unsuccessful. He emphasised that political grievances should instead be addressed through dialogue and negotiation.
“For Ndigbo, I want to plead with you to continue to maintain peace and watch over the youth of today. Development can only take place in an atmosphere of peace,” he said.
Akpabio further assured that the National Assembly is committed to addressing concerns of marginalisation in the South-East, including the possibility of creating an additional state in the region to ensure parity with other geopolitical zones.
He also commended the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for efforts to promote inclusiveness through appointments, while reiterating that agitations must be pursued through peaceful means.
The Senate President expressed concern over the economic impact of the sit-at-home order in parts of the South-East, particularly on commercial hubs such as Onitsha, warning that such disruptions undermine the region’s well-known entrepreneurial strength.
Reflecting on post-civil war realities, Akpabio highlighted what he described as the incomplete implementation of the “three Rs” policy—Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction following the Nigerian Civil War. He noted that while reconciliation and rehabilitation were attempted, reconstruction in the war-affected South-East and South-South regions was largely neglected.
Akpabio concluded by calling for justice and equitable development for the Ndigbo, expressing hope that longstanding grievances would be addressed within the current generation.
He also paid tribute to the late Nnamani, describing him as a dedicated public servant who contributed significantly to the development of the Niger Delta during his tenure at OMPADEC.
