Igbos Are My Greatest Supporter..Goodluck

South East political leaders on Saturday said they were fully in support of President Goodluck Jonathan on his declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, three states worst hit by Boko Haraminsurgency.
They spoke as Jonathan told the Igbo that they are the strongest support base of his administration.
Chairman of South-East Governors and Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, made this position known in a town hall meeting between President Jonathan and South-East political leaders at Enugu State Governors lodge.
The town hall meeting was held shortly after the president performed the foundation laying ceremony of the New International Terminal and the commissioning of the re-modeled Terminal of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.
Obi assured the president that any decision that could help to attract investment in this country, they were fully with him, stressing that Igbos believe in Nigeria and want everywhere in the country to develop.
“One group of people that believe in one Nigeria is Igbos. When Senator Ken Nnamani was speaking, he mentioned that our people want to be secure to do business in the North. We are very generous people. We want everywhere to develop. Thank you Mr. President and God bless you” Obi said.
Earlier, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said they were fully in support of declaration of state of emergency in the three states as those who were being killed in those states were their Igbo brothers.
Addressing the town hall meeting, President Jonathan said since his assumption of office as vice president, the South-East has remained his strongest support base and he remains very grateful for that.
The president who was accompanied by ministers, appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace, pointing out that peace would create employment, employment would create wealth and there would be development.
“Let me use this unique opportunity of interacting with our leaders in the South-East to thank all Nigerians for giving me the privilege to serve my country. Well, all of us know that the purpose of government is to make sure that it creates an enabling environment for development of infrastructure for basic growth of the country.
“And we are totally committed to doing that. This government is just about two years. We came on May 29 two years ago, but sometimes two years looks as if it is a long time, but you will agree with me within these two years, we have identified few areas and we are working hard in those areas, we are doing well in those areas and we will continue to do well in those areas. And surely this country will change.
“What we request from all Nigerians is peace. You cannot do anything when you don’t have peace. With peace, there will be economic development, with peace there will be employment. Employment will create wealth and there will be development. So, without peace, we cannot get where we want to go and for that reason, government must make sure that all parts of this country enjoy peace. We are pleading with out people in the North.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the town hall meeting include former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former vice president, Alex Ekwueme, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, and serving ministers.
The town hall meeting was attended by governors, senators, members of the national and state assemblies, other political office holders and selected leaders from each of the five states of the South-East zone.
Earlier at Akanu Ibiam Airport, the president promised to establish a free trade zone in the South East to boost economic activities in the zone.
Jonathan who noted that a free trade zone would only be operational where there was an international airport or a functional seaport, said the request for a free trade zone for the south east was over-due.
The president also promised the establishment of a perishable cargo terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to accelerate the quick processing and evacuation of perishable agricultural produce directly from the farm to major cities abroad.
According to him, when the cargo is constructed, it will give Nigerians opportunity of exporting agricultural produce and at the same time, create wealth domestically.