The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)‎ has asked the federal government to withdraw the military and initiate dialogue with the people of the south-east in order to avoid further violent clashes.

In a statement, PDP publicity secretary Dayo Adeyeye said the rights of citizens to express their yearning within the confines of the law should not be truncated using the military.

"The PDP states that at this time that tempers seem to be flaring up, ‎dialogue, rather than violence is the only viable option to resolve whatever problems are on ground in the South-East Zone and indeed, the entire country.

"What the country needs at this time is an atmosphere of peace and ‎tranquility, without which no meaningful positive development in ‎whatever sector can be attained, and the situation unfolding in the ‎South-East, which is a very important component of the Nigerian family, ‎is no doubt, inimical to our collective quest to take Nigeria higher.

"It ‎is therefore in our enlightened interest as a people and as a nation, to rise up to this challenge intelligently without undue egotism, and with ‎the best interest of the Country at heart," the party said.