The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has weighed in on the unrest in the beleaguered South-East.
The former vice condemned the Monday sit-at-home being observed across the five South-East States.
Recall that the former Vice President spoke in Enugu on Tuesday during his meeting with PDP stakeholders in the South-East.
Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu was absent at the meeting. However, the host Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, alongside other political leaders from the zone, was present.
Addressing the gathering, the PDP candidate said he was committed to the overall development of the entire zones.
While lamenting the economic effects of the sit-at-home, Atiku said the civil disobedience was being imposed by some misguided youths in the zone.
“I am aware of how the economy of this zone and the livelihoods of its people are being destroyed by the Monday sit-at-home being imposed by a small misguided youth from this zone.
“It is difficult to understand how you liberate a people by destroying their economy. This has to stop and we shall address all political grievances not just by words but by deeds,” he said.
Atiku assured that if elected President, he would address the feelings of marginalization among the people of the zone.
He said his agenda “will benefit the South-East. A Nigeria that truly works will work for all its zones.
“We must tackle the feeling of marginalization which is providing an excuse for the separatist agitations in this zone. National unity will benefit the people of this zone who need a wider platform to operate on.”