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Presidency says the absence of the federal government delegation at the
planned meeting with governors and stakeholders of the South-South
region was necessitated by Tuesday’s emergency security meeting summoned
by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on
Wednesday, the postponement was “certainly not out of disrespect’’.
He said the delegation to the meeting, under the Chief of Staff to the
President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, ministers and heads of security and
intelligence agencies were in full readiness to proceed to Port Harcourt
until they were directed to stay back for the emergency security
meeting.
“This information and regret for the inconvenience caused were conveyed
to the hosts of the meeting through what we believed were the right
channels.
“As may have been gleaned from the statement read by the Minister of
Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, the extraordinary National
Security Council meeting, under the President, was called in view of the
gravity of the security situation affecting all parts of the country,
including the South-South in the aftermath of the ENDSARS protests, and
the need to rise to protect our national security and territorial
integrity,’’ he said.
According to the presidential aide, the president is strongly and
resolutely committed to hearing from leaders, stakeholders and youth on
burning issues affecting all parts of the federation.
He, therefore, stated that a new date for the meeting with the
South-South would be agreed after due consultations with the parties
concerned.
“Once again, the unavoidable postponement of the meeting is regretted,’’
he added.(NAN)