THE Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly has called for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference to address the problems militating against the growth and unity of the country.

In a two-page communique read by Mr. Ledum Mitee at the end of the South West, South East, South South summit at Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, the participants warned against posting of graduates from the Southern part of the country to the volatile and life-threatening areas of the North for the compulsory one-year National Youth Service.

'That until the security situation in volatile and life-threatening areas of the country improves, we insist that none of our youths should be posted to serve the compulsory one-year national service in any part of these volatile and life-threatening areas in the North', the communiqué stated.

It called on Mr. President not to hesitate in ridding his government and the nation's security forces of all persons of dubious loyalty and to treat the activities of Boko Haram sect as treason and apply the relevant laws on the culprits and their sponsors.

The communiqué urged President Goodluck Jonathan and other organs of government especially the judiciary to firmly prosecute the war against corruption without fear or favour, with no sacred cow spared, to serve as a deterrent to others, saying 'In particular, government should fast-track the prosecution of all those identified culprits in the probe reports according to law.

In repositioning the country for the attainment of Vision 20:20:20 the leadership must sanitise the economy of fraudsters and economic saboteurs.'

'That the six geo-political zone structure should be formalised and reflected in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

That the quarterly conference is scheduled to be hosted by the South East", it asserted.

The communique re-affirmed its commitment to cooperate and work with President Goodluck Jonathan and thanked the people and government of Akwa Ibom for hosting the conference.

It deplored the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended, reasoning that it was standing on a faulty foundation and does not guarantee true federalism required for stability and development of the country.

The communique was signed by Chief Edwin Clark, leader of South South, Rt. Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi, leader, South West and Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, leader, South East.

Earlier, Governor Godswill Akpabio represented by his deputy, Mr. Nsima Ekere had condemned insecurity in the country blaming it on insincerity of some Northern leaders.

Governor Akpabio thanked the Southern elders and leaders for waking to the clarion call to build their country and called for unity among them for the assembly to realise its goals and aspirations.