Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, Wednesday insisted that the current communal crisis between the people of Oso-Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area and Amasiri and Nde Ndukwe Communities in Afikpo North Local Government Area was politically motivated.
The crisis which reignited on Monday claimed the life of one person with properties worth millions destroyed.
Mr Umahi, however, called on the poeple of Edda clan to remain calm.
Governor Umahi made the disclosure at Nguzu Eddah, the headquarters of Afikpo South Local Government Area of the State during the APC rally in the area.
He said that the crisis was masterminded by an individual and assured that he would soon be arrested and prosecuted.
The South-East Governor’s Forum Chairman said that the communal crisis dates back to over 100 years ago adding that when he assumed office in 2015, it took his administration 3 years to resolve the crisis and everyone started living in peace.
He said: “I must commend the youths for honouring me by remaining calm. I am very proud of you. The current problem was started by one person and that person that started it, we are going to address the issue.
“The person that started it, we have rounded him up, please the good people of Oso Edda and by extension the entire Eddah clan, the good people of Amasiri, we are one people, please allow me to resolve the problems.
“This problem dates back to over 100 years and when I came into office, in 2015, I spent 3 years addressing the problems and we sorted out everything and everybody started living in peace.”
“This one has a political undertone, it is the brother to the former chairman of Afikpo North who is in PDP now that ignited the crisis so that there will be crisis in the state but we have said no to them. There will be no crisis in Ebonyi because God has brought peace in the entire land of Ebonyi State.
Governor Umahi during the rally also called for love and unity amongst all the political stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There is no division amongst us and we must all work together to ensure victory of the party in the forthcoming general election,” he said.
The Ebonyi State Governor expressed concern over the perennial water scarcity in the local government and assured that his administration in the next two weeks will surprise the people with the level of work that would be done at Inyere.
“I know you have problem of water here but in the next two weeks you will see surprises at Inyere. What you are seeing there now is for those that will be using bucket to be fetching water but let me tell you, very gigantic water project will be coming there in the next two weeks,” he added.
