The South-South Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the six governors of the region to as a a matter of urgency, set up a regional security outfit to contain rising cases of insecurity ravaging the country.
National Vice-Chairman of the PDP (South-south), Chief Dan Orbih, who led members of his team to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, lamented that COVID-19 pandemic was child’s play compared to the current security crises.
In his words: “A situation where people can no longer go to their farms is a signal for impending food crisis.
“We call on the Governors and leaders of the South South to come together and protect our people.”
Orbih added: “I am here with the Zonal Working Committee members of the People’s Democratic Party as part of our official tour of the Zone to commend and applaud the good work the PDP Governors are doing and to ask them to do more.
“We are embarking on this tour at a very difficult and challenging time in our nation’s history. The issues confronting us today are so serious that COVID-19 pandemic that has challenged the world is dwarfed by domestic problems facing us.
“The growing insecurity occasioned by the uncontrolled activities of ruthless bandits and herdsmen is worrisome.
“We have lost innocent men and women in the past six years more than nations at war.
“The Yorubas have taken steps to check the menace of these groups with the formation of Amotekun, the Igbos have theirs – Ebubeagu Security Services.
“What are we doing in the South-South? We must fashion out ways in collaboration with various security agencies to check the unprovoked assault on our people.
“Our people are distressed. The federal roads are in bad shape and unsafe.
“Last week Senator Clifford Ordia was attacked twice same day by different groups on his way from Edo to Abuja.
“We enjoin you to join forces with those calling for state and community policing to compliment the present structure.
“The South-south Governors must not relent in the demand for state police.
The PDP also berated federal government’s handling of corruption cases, stating that “lack of accountability in the NDDC has affected development in the zone. It has eroded trust and promotes unemployment and criminality in the youths.
“A hungry man is a angry man. The federal government must stop playing politics with NDDC.
“The rising poverty index and lack of employment is now a major problem in our zone.”
“We call on the federal government to stop borrowing money to fund corruption.
On the whole, I make bold to state the current security problems confronting us is a threat to democracy. We urge you to use your second term in office to put in place development and achievements that will make future elections easier for our party in the state and the Zone.