A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi state, Hon. Chaka Nweze in this interview with AMARACHUKWU EGWUAGHA in Abakaliki, warns warring factions in crises-ridden communities, to give peace a chance and stop politicisation of the communal crises.
Excerpts:
What is your view about reports of series of communal crises in Ebonyi?
The situation is really regrettable and unfortunate and should call for the concern of all well-meaning Ebonyians. The crises are unfortunately coming at a time the state government under the leadership of Chief David Umahi in collaboration with security agencies, have made the state one of the safest in Nigeria. The escalation of the crises calls for concern and I hail the proactive steps the state government has taken to ensure that they are quelled. My concern, however, is that permanent solutions should be sought for the crises because, unfortunately, they keep recurring even when assurances were given that they have been permanently tackled.
What do you think are factors responsible for the crises’ escalation?
The most potent of the factors is the politicisation of the crisis. Unfortunately, politicians who are hell bent on escalating the crises make utterances that fuel such them. It is pertinent to mention in this regard, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Elder Fred Udogu. This faction of the party could have joined million of Ebonyians to condemn the wanton killings of hapless indigenes of the areas instead of politicising it. This group of individuals should know that no form of political interest or aggrandizement is worth more than anyone human life. We are talking of crises that have led to loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira. It is obvious that this faction of PDP has not been comfortable since Governor Umahi took the patriotic giant leap of defecting from the PDP to the APC. They should, however, be reminded that issues such as wanton destruction of lives and property should be severed from politics.
It started with the Effium/ Ezza Effium crisis followed by the Enyigba in Abakaliki LGA/ Enyibichiri in Ikwo LGA to the Ovumte land dispute in Ivo LGA. What is actually happening?
Well-meaning Ebonyians have expressed concern over the mayhem and called on the warring parties to sheathe their sword and allow peace reign in the areas. The Effium/ Ezza Effium crisis gave a huge call for concern because of the area’s huge agricultural and business potentials.
When the Effium/ Ezza Effium crises escalated, the governor directed and enforced the arrest of all stakeholders from the area. The move was commendable and it helped to a large extent in curtailing the crisis. Though pockets of disturbances are still being reported, it is expected that the proactive steps from the government and security agencies would go a long way in permanently quelling the crisis. The governor showed unimaginable political-will to nip the crisis in the bud. He swore that all persons, no matter, highly placed in the government and the society would be prosecuted. Investigations are on-going and security agencies are on top of the situation. The governor’s courage is a rarity in this country where political aficionados and sentimental considerations reign in our political system and this shows that he is a no-nonsense governor. The state deputy governor in conjunction with security agencies daily visit the area and even led the operation which saw to the raiding of criminal elements perpetrating the mayhem and arresting over 70 of them who were taken to the state police headquarters, Abakaliki.The governor also visited the area, held positive dialogue with the people, assured them of their safety and provided humanitarian assistance to them. He is also in close contact with various mobile telecommunication networks to screen the conversations of all political stakeholders from the state to ascertain the various conversations they held within the period to aid in the intensive investigations.
What of the communal crises in other areas?
The Enyibichiri and Enyigba communal crisis is also unfortunate because successive governments have done enough to ensure that it is permanently resolved. I think that stakeholders from both areas should do more to ensure lasting peace in the areas. The state government convened a meeting chaired by the deputy governor alongside the speaker of the state House of Assembly who both hail from the affected clans. The outcome of the meeting was fruitful and it is hoped it would ensure permanent peace.
What was the outcome of the meeting?
Stakeholders from both areas were enjoined to compel their youths to cease fire and give peace a chance for amicable resolution of the crisis. The government further maintained that the traditional oath taking by Ikwo and Izzi clans instituted in 2019 is still in force. This means that no group or persons should unleash attack on the other as stakeholders were directed to arrest and submit to security agencies, culprits who defy this directive. I also hail the decision that proper demarcation of lands in the disputed areas should immediately commence while security agencies are mandated to arrest anyone found in the buffer zone. It is worthy of note that free movements in all roads leading to Ikwo and Abakiliki areas such as Nwezenyi-Noyo, Onuebonyi-Obubra roads among others, should be maintained while security agencies should also patrol all affected roads. I commend the government for replicating the policy it adopted in the Effium/ Ezza Effium crisis where stakeholders would be held responsible for failing to apprehend perpetrators of the crisis. The crisis in Amagu community in Ivo over the Ovumte land issue should be averted at all cost. This stresses the point I made about the politicization of crises in the state. The same PDP faction has been spreading false information, linking the governor to the crises even when the governor is not from the area or has any connection to what is happening there. Such individuals should know that the governor is the chief security officer of the state and is constitutionally required to safeguard lives and properties. I seek earnestly that all these name calling, blame apportioning, among others, should cease and concerted efforts made to ensure that the state experiences total peace that it is known-for.
What is your general advice?
I urge the governor not to be distracted by the antics of the opposition but concentrate and find lasting solution to the crises as he permanently solved the Ezillo/ Ezza Ezillo crisis. It is to his credit that he permanently resolved the endemic Ezillo/ Ezza Ezillo crisis which defied all efforts of previous administrations and he should replicate the same feat in the present crisis. He should deploy the same arsenal with which he resolved Ezillo/ Ezza Ezillo crisis to the communal crisis in the state. I must, however, state that the governor’s defection has attracted unrivaled attention and commendation across the country and has projected Ebonyi and the Southeast zone at the forefront of national discourse. It is already aiding in addressing the imbalance of marginalization being expressed by the zone. I advise the opposition in the state to be mindful that the governor is the chief security officer in the state and would discharge such functions to all citizens. The state government and all well-meaning citizens are pained by the crisis and it would be ridiculous to link the governor or his administration to the crises which affect the people he swore an oath of office to protect. I also commend the proactive response of security agencies to the situation as it shows that the new Commissioner of Police in the state, for instance, is desirous to rid the state of all forms of criminality.
