The Ebonyi
State Governor, David Umahi, has accused his Cross River State counterpart, Ben
Ayade, of frustrating efforts aimed at ending boundary clashes
between their
border communities.
At a
briefing in Abakaliki on Sunday, Mr. Umahi’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Uzor, said
Mr. Ayade had rebuffed concerted efforts for a meeting to resolve the crisis.
He called on
the Federal Government and the National Boundary Commission to intervene in the
boundary dispute between Ofioji, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi and
Ijutun-Idoru community of Obubura Local Government Area of Cross River State.
A recent
outbreak of the crisis on Friday led to the death of eight persons, including a
pregnant woman.
Mr. Uzor
said Mr. Umahi was being blackmailed by the people of Cross River over the
resumption of hostilities simply because he asked the Chief of Army Staff to
deploy more soldiers to the troubled area.
“The
governor had made efforts to speak with the Cross River governor and the peace
committee chaired by the Deputy Governor also made similar efforts to bring
lasting peace to the troubled areas but it is disturbing and disheartening how
lives are being wasted.
“Governor
Ayade had once agreed on a date to meet the governor only to cancel it at the
last minute,” he said.
“The
governor only drew the attention of the Chief of Army Staff to increase the
number of soldiers in the area to help quell the matter and a few days after
that some elements invaded Izzi communities, killing and maiming people and
destroying properties.
According to Premiumtimes, the governor
made demand based on his conviction on the ability of the soldiers to quell the
matter but one former Cross River lawmaker from the area accused the governor
of sponsoring the crisis. This is cheap blackmail especially coming from the
same man who was indicted for sponsoring similar communal crises in the past.
Mr. Uzor
said the Ebonyi governor was saddened that his people were being
killed in the dispute.
killed in the dispute.
“The
governor is sending a message, let us dialogue and make peace with the
communities. The federal government should come into the matter to nip the
wanton destruction of lives and property in the bud,” he added.
But Governor
Ayade denied the accusation by his Ebonyi counterpart, describing it as untrue
and unfunded.
Reacting to
the allegation, his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Italian, described Mr.
Ayade as a peace-loving man who will do everything in his power to ensure peace
is restored to the troubled areas.
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