The Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu and
Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, have again appealed to
Biafra agitators calling for a sit-at-home compliance on Tuesday
to allow people to go about their normal business.
Ekweremadu and Umahi made the appeal during an
Interdenominational church service organized by the Ebonyi State
Government to mark this year’s Democracy Day in Abakaliki.
They noted that bad approach to genuine struggle was
not good, encouraged the Igbo to work in unity in order to achieve their
aim irrespective of how long it takes.
Ekweremadu said, "On the issue of IPOB and stay at home
order, I just have one advice. You cannot have two governments in a state. If
anybody says you should stay at home, if you are a trader you can choose to
stay at home or go out. But if you are a civil or public servant ,you are under
obligation to go to work.
" I addressed the World Igbo Congress in Enugu and I
told them that we all condemn the marginalisation of our people. We can never
support it and we will continue to fight against it wherever we find ourselves.
It is our life but I advise that no one or group should engage in
any arm struggle no matter the level of provocation. The idea of trying
to force people to do your will, I don't think it's right.
"Those who want to stay at home should please stay at
home but those who want to work should be allowed to go out. I believe
that if we have a struggle which I believe we have, it may take us a long time
to get there but surely, no matter how long the darkness is, the day will
eventually break."
A statement the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya,
quoted the Senate Deputy President as commending Umahi for his
infrastructural development and the mature way he has piloted the affairs of
Ebonyi State, adding that the state has changed for good.
In his remarks, Governor Umahi said he
had directed that markets should be opened on Tuesday and
that residents should feel free to go about their lawful
business
He condemned the idea of asking people to stay at home and
advised IPOB members to embrace dialogue rather than pursuing their
genuine struggle the wrong way.
Umahi maintained that the leaders of South-East were
handling the concerns of IPOB, assuring that efforts to
solve the problem would soon materialize.
" Let me say it; I have all the lists
of their agitations and most of what they are saying are correct but the way
they are saying it may not be correct. I met with the market people
yesterday (Friday) and I said our market will remain open on 30th of May.
"The governors of South-East are not noise makers
behind the scene, we are tackling our problem with National Assembly members
and our other leaders and I'm very sure that the modest effort we are making is
fast yielding result. We believe that we can win this war not through
violence but through persuasion and dialogue and understanding."
The governor appreciated the state executive
members, the legislators and the Judiciary for their
commitment to service delivery.
In his sermon, the Special Assistant to the
Governor on Religion and Welfare Matters and the Chairman Christian Association
of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter, Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, eulogized the
governor for his achievements within two years in office.
By Blog10TV Staff
