Group Canvasses Confab On True Federalism

The South-East Muslim Organisation, has called on the Federal Government to convene a national conference on true federalism in Nigeria.

The group made the call in an eight-point communiqué issued on last Monday in Abakaliki and signed by Alhaji Haroun Ogbonnia-Ajah, its National Co-ordinator and Alhaji Suleiman Ukandu, a member.

It said the conference would engender peace and tranquility in Nigeria.

“Government cannot thrive without the support of the governed in ensuring that peace and tranquility reign at all times.

“At the same time, government should endeavour to carry all stakeholders along in the formulation of its policies,’’ the communiqué stated.

The group, however, expressed its outright condemnation of any subversive act capable of breaching the peace and unity of the country.

“The unity of Nigeria as a nation is not negotiable as we have come a long way as a nation and we must emphasise and cement things that bind us together, as there is unity in diversity.

“Hence, any act that involves the destruction of human life is antithetical to Islamic teachings and must be condemned in its entirety.

“Islam, having a monolithic nature, does not believe in sect, hence the acronym ‘Boko Haram’ is of a political posture.

“As such, the authorities concerned should treat it so,’’ it stated

According to the communiqué, the national conference to be convened should embrace ethnic nationalities, religious groupings, civil rights groups and labour unions.

The group also listed other bodies to attend the conference to include youth organisations and women organisations.

“These groups are essential to the need to discuss fundamental issues relating to true federalism,’’ it said.

The body also called on the federal government to take urgent steps to rehabilitate the federal road network in the South-East geo-political zone to ease the suffering of commuters.