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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2017 Anambra State governorship election, Dr Tony Nwoye has sued for peace in the recent communal crisis that engulfed Umueri and Aguleri in the state.
This was contained in a press statement issued by Mazi Chidi Orjika, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to Dr Nwoye.
In the statement, Nwoye called on the two brotherly communities of Umueri and Aguleri to sheath their swords.
The former member of the House of Representatives representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency advised them to avoid escalations of violent confrontations that may lead to another fratricidal war.
He said that such war will destabilise the largely agrarian Omambala region and potentially spur security and humanitarian challenges into other parts of the state.
Nwoye said he was pained by the renewed hostilities between the two neighbouring communities over Land ownership rights.
He warned that the Anambra East and largely Omambala area cannot afford to be a theatre of another fratricidal war.
Such was witnessed in 1999 which led to so much bloodshed, destruction of properties, economic ruins and breaking of love bond between two brothers.
He noted that the crisis regrettably, retrogressed the area in economic, human and infrastructural development when compared to other zones.
He said: “I am deeply pained with the news of renewed violent confrontation and hostilities between few persons from Umueri and Aguleri yet again.
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“The situation, if not properly and promptly arrested would jeopardise the peace , stability and economic development of not only the affected area, but the entire state at large.
“I therefore call on my brothers from both sides to completely eschew and reject any form of Armed/violent resolution of the land dispute between them and embrace peaceful dialogue as one and only way of resolving any issue.”
The medical doctor also said he was pained with the reports of crisis in Igweship, Town Union leadership disputes and inter/intra community rifts that have dotted some parts of the state.
He noted that “the renewal of the Aguleri – Umuleri confrontation and hostilities, as well as other pockets of crisis in Royal stools, community leadership disputes, inter/intra communal rifts in some parts of the state demand that all hands must be on desk.
“Hence all different Stakeholders, opinion moulders, Security agencies, religious and traditional Leaders; as well as State Government serving as an intervening variable to maintaining dispassionate balance and peace making amongst the conflicting parties must get to the roots of these conflicts and treat them fairly and squarely” for well-being of the state.
Finally, Dr. Tony Nwoye called on all well-meaning and Peace loving people of Umueri and Aguleri to rise above the temptations of war as a means of conflict resolutions.
This especially, he said, is in view of the horrendous experiences of the past wars.
He urged the warring parties to embrace peace and dialogue as the only nondestructive pathway to peaceful coexistence, unity and progress.
