Akpabio urges Igbo youngsters to abandon violent resistance against Nigeria's government

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called upon the people of the South East to maintain peace in the country and guide the youth to avoid armed struggle against the Nigerian government, emphasizing that development can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere.

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Akpabio made this appeal during his speech at the funeral of Sir Albert Nnamani, the former Administrative Secretary of the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), which took place on Saturday in Ikem, Enugu State.

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In a statement released by his media office, Akpabio stressed the importance of peace, urging the Ndigbo to watch over the youth and guide them, as they may not fully understand politics and development.

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The Senate President stated, "For Ndigbo, I want to plead with you to continue to maintain the peace and watch the youth of today, as they don’t understand politics and development, and development is only feasible in an area of peace."

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Akpabio warned that attempting to assert independence through armed struggle against the Federal Government would ultimately fail, as the state power would overwhelm them, and instead, the parliament is prepared to make the necessary laws to address the needs of the Ndigbo.

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He promised that the parliament would work to create an additional state for the Ndigbo, to bring them on par with other zones in the country, and that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to correcting the wrongs of the past.

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Akpabio noted that President Tinubu has made efforts to ensure the Ndigbo are not marginalized, particularly in terms of appointments, but emphasized that negotiations are necessary to achieve their goals.

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He emphasized the importance of achieving their rights through peaceful means and negotiation, saying "I want this to happen in your lifetime, and may we not lose our youth due to wrong politics and advice."

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Akpabio expressed concern about the impact of the "sit-at-home" on the economy of Onitsha and Nigeria, stating that it has had a severe effect, and that the Ndigbo are known for their enterprise and should not be misled.

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He recalled the difficulties faced by the Ndigbo after the war, when their accounts were frozen and they were given a mere three pounds for every two million pounds they had, highlighting the need for reconstruction in the South-South and South East.

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Akpabio noted that while reconciliation and rehabilitation took place, reconstruction was missing, and he prayed that justice would be done to the Ndigbo in their lifetime, saying "that justice shall be done to Ndigbo in our lifetime in Jesus name."

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Akpabio paid tribute to the late Sir Albert Nnamani, describing him as an administrative secretary who discharged his duty with dignity and candor, and set the tone for the development of the Niger Delta region.

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He praised Nnamani's efforts, saying that before his leadership, promises to the people of the Niger Delta were often left unfulfilled, but he helped to bring about positive change, and that those challenges are now a thing of the past.