By Edifon ABASI-OBOT
Governor, leaders of political parties, traditional rulers and major stakeholders in the politics of the region of Nigeria, under the aegis of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have advocated for the institutionalization of true federalism in Nigeria. The body has also resolved to throw its weight in support of the establishment of state police in the nation.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the maiden South-South and South-East joint zonal Conference of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital.
The conference, tagged “Strengthening Regional Democracy through Inter-Party Dialogue” drew participants form top echelon of polity of the eleven states of the two region including state governors, legislators, leaders of political parties/IPAC, leaders of traditional institutions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Council for Peace and Conflict Resolution (CPCR) and other major stakeholders.
Acknowledging the shared sociopolitical history of the two region as zones under that made up the former Eastern Region of Nigeria, the conference reached a resolution to close ranks, build trust and synergy among political parties within the zones, and to forge a common front to fast-track development in the zones.
The conference hence, charged the federal government of Nigeria to urgently address the decaying critical federal infrastructure in the zones, make refunds to states that have carried out various interventions on supposed federal government projects and ensure equitable distribution of dividends, while also demanding for the creation of more states in the zones.
The South-South, South-East joint zonal council of IPAC also urged INEC and all institutions involved in conduct of elections to maintain their unbiased status and pledged to work together keep political thuggery, ballot box hijacking, vote buying and any other form of electoral malpractice during the exercise in check.
In its communique, the conference condemned the infiltration and violent attacks on lives and properties in communities within the zones by herdsmen and called on the President to urgently find a lasting solution the menace.
The South-South/South-East zone of IPAC expressed special gratitude to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for hosting the maiden edition of the regional conference, whom they honoured with an Award of outstanding performance in delivering the dividends of democracy to his people and christened, Mr. Industrialisation.
The Council also appreciated the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for accepting to chair the conference, as well as the Chairman, House Committee on Gas Resources in the National Assembly, Hon. Frederick Agbedi, and other renown Nigerians who, through their speeches and paper presentations, enriched the conference.
Governor Okowa, other governors in the region and some persons that have distinguished themselves in the promotion of democracy and good governance, were also honoured with several categories of award, including the Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Political, Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Barrister Ekong Sampson.
The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of IPAC, who is also of the South-South and South joint council, Xst Amb. Martins Inyang, while attending to the press at the end of the event, said he was elated at the success of the conference. He especially thanked the host governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Dr. Okowa of Delta State, national leaders of IPAC and other great Nigerian politicians, scholars, technocrats and royal fathers that enriched the event.
Martins Inyang reassured that IPAC was poised to do all that is necessary for the resolutions reached at the conference to be actualized and reiterating the resolve of the council to make the conference an annual event.