Tinubu Pledges to End Reign of Terror in South East, Receives Traditional Titles in Abia

In a bid to quell the prevailing unrest in the South East region, Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed on Friday that President Bola Tinubu is resolutely committed to eliminating the influence of self-serving criminals and those exploiting the security situation for dangerous political agendas.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) in Bende, Abia State, Shettima emphasized Tinubu’s concern for the economic devastation caused by non-state actors in the South East. The Vice President stated that Tinubu aims to deploy all available resources to eradicate falsehoods and propaganda threatening Nigeria’s unity.

Before the ceremony, Tinubu was honored with the traditional title of Omeziri Igbo 1 at a grand civic reception in Abia State, with Shettima receiving the title of Enyioma Ndigbo.

In his speech, Shettima conveyed Tinubu’s determination to address the challenges faced by the South East, emphasizing that the criminal activities in the region do not represent the interests of Ndigbo or Nigeria. Shettima highlighted Tinubu’s recognition that peace is vital for development and pledged continuous efforts to mitigate the inherited crisis.

The Vice President called for a coordinated intervention to tackle insecurity in the region, stating that the Tinubu administration would not rest until its commitment to resolving the crisis is fulfilled. He commended the Peace in South East Project and emphasized the collaboration needed to ensure security becomes a reality in the region.

Initiator of the PISE-P, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, expressed his vision for peace, unity, and development in the South East. He aimed to promote reconciliation and address root causes of conflict through a non-kinetic approach.

Dignitaries at the event included Governor Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the South East Governor’s Forum; Abia State Governor Alex Otti; Deputy Governor of Anambra State Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin; Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and National Chairman of the APC Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others. The event marked a unified stand for peace in the South East region.