South-East Governors Demands Unbiased Probe On Alleged Assassination Attempt On Ekweremadu

The South-East Governors’ Forum has on Wednesday called for an investigation that is unbiased and thorough into the alleged attempted assassination of Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

The forum said that it does not accept the position of the investigating security agency concerning the attack on the deputy senate president, describing it as a hasty conclusion.

Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Director-General of the forum, made this known on Wednesday, while disclosing the position of the forum to the press.

Ortuanya insisted that the alleged attack cannot be merely described as burglary, in view of the methodological execution of the invasion.

According to him, if the mission was mere burglary, the so-called burglars would not have prevailed on the son to take them to his father’s bedroom.

He said that security of lives and property in Nigeria is now in doubt as a result of the attack on the resident of the principal officer in the senate.

On the Second Niger Bridge, Ortuanya expressed worry that it had become a ‘political chess board’ ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He said that the construction of the bridge needed to be taken seriously and delivered in good time.

“We note with concern that the Second Niger Bridge has become a political chess board in the hands of politicians seeking Igbo votes.

“We have become aware that that it was only in July, 2018 that the contract for the bridge was signed, in spite of the fact that the foundation-laying ceremony was done in 2013.

“We pray that this will not be another lip service to the realisation of the project,” the director-general said.

He also said that the forum was worried over continued deterioration of facilities at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

“It is, indeed, a shame that a whole region as economically robust as the South-East, does not have an airport that can land all categories of aircraft.

“We restate that the airport is not safe as there are no runway lights, the tarmac is bumpy with potholes while one of the buildings has become an eyesore,” he said.

Ortuanya said that one of the building was destroyed by rainstorm for over two years, adding that the cargo section of the airport was not functional.

“We are aware that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has taken up the challenge of helping to fix the airport.

“We also know that the burden is too heavy for the state government and that is why we are calling on the Federal Government to come to our aid,” Ortuanya said.