… Calls for govt’s intervention
Industrialist and Chief Executive Officer of Rimax Group, Livinus Okwara, has urged the Federal Government to grant amnesty to Southeast youths to re-integrate them and quell agitations in the region.
Okwara, who decried the sad experience of the Igbo in Nigeria, spoke in Lagos, noting that the Southeast continued to be a war zone because of youths’ resentment and feeling of marginalisation.
Okwara said the Federal Government should listen to the Igbo youths for peace sake.
The APC chieftain who urged government to meet the youths for dialogue, noted that government’s actions should not look like they are being deprived of their rights.
“Government should not blame these youth I feel that the federal government should go all out to them as a mark of amnesty. For these youth to go back to school and work .”
He pointed out that today’s Biafrans have never formed any government in exile, noting that the five eastern states have pledged allegiance to Nigeria.
“They cannot be said to have secluded from Nigeria. They cannot be termed as those carrying arms against Nigeria. They have not introduced any gorilla group into Nigeria.
They participate in elections so they cannot be seen as those working against the government.
He noted that Igbo youth were only protesting unfulfilled promises, adding that they don’t have any army and cannot be referred to as having formed a government outside Nigeria.
“ They cannot be referred to as having formed a government outside Nigeria.
“If they are entitled to amnesty, government should please grant them.
“Biafran agitators have always been subjected to court decisions and discipline.”
He pleaded with the government to listen to those individuals who are pleading for amnesty on their behalf..
“Government is undecided because of the situation. The government still terms them as rebels but they are not. They have not taken arms against government, it should grant them amnesty like it did in Rivers state.
Government should invite them for dialogue .
“Government is driving them far away that is why it’s like they are seeking help outside. It should bring them close so they don’t go outside and seek for help.”