The Odu’a People’s Congress (OPC) on Wednesday in Lagos urged Northern leaders to lead the vanguard for the restoration of peace to the region ahead of the 2015 polls.
Speaking at a media roundtable organised by the group, OPC Founder, Dr Fredrick Faseun, stressed the need for peace to reign in all parts of the country before the 2015 elections.
Faseun, who spoke against the backdrop of the activities of an Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in the North pleaded that: “Northern leaders must lead the peace initiative and put the insurgency by the sect on the leash.
“Politicians may not be able to travel to the Northern states to campaign if the issue of Boko Haram persists.
“The sect must know that the current spate of unprovoked killings defies the rules of engagement in civil causes.’’
Faseun, however, appealed to the sect and its splinter groups to sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue.
“Freedom fighters will usually not attack the very civilians whose interest they claim to be fighting for,” he said.
On amnesty for the sect, Faseun noted that their activities had destroyed the case being made for its members’ amnesty or possible withdrawal of the Joint Task Force from the affected states.
The OPC leader also urged the National Assembly members to undertake a guided tour of the Niger Delta to see the level of environmental degradation, before concluding debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
“There is need for the lawmakers to experience at firsthand the unbelievable level of environmental degradation and infrastructural deprivation in the region.’’
Faseun also advised the Federal Government to revoke oil bloc licences and open fresh bids, with a view to reallocating them on the basis of equity and federal character principle.
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