Anambra Assembly Commends Soludo’s Intervention in Agulueri-Umuoba Anam Crisis
By Anastasia Agunwa
The Anambra State House of Assembly has on October 6, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his timely intervention in the communal conflict between Agulueri and Umuoba Anam communities in Anambra East Local Government Area, saying the security measures deployed have helped restore peace to the area.
The commendation followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Anambra East Constituency, Hon. Obi Nweke, during plenary on October 6. The motion was seconded by the member representing Anambra West Constituency, Hon. Patrick Udoba.
Presiding over the sitting, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi, commended Nweke for bringing the matter before the legislature and urged stakeholders in the affected communities to work together to sustain the peace and reconciliation process and protect lives and property.
Moving the motion, Nweke expressed concern that the conflict had threatened lives, property and socio-economic activities in the affected communities, warning that prolonged hostilities could also undermine the stability of Anambra East Local Government Area and the state at large.
He commended the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders for their efforts towards resolving the crisis.
Nweke said Governor Soludo’s prompt response to the escalation of the conflict, including the deployment of joint security forces to the affected communities, had helped restore law, order and normalcy in the area.
According to him, sustainable peace is essential to the realisation of the administration’s vision of a “liveable homeland” and the ongoing urban development across Anambra State, stressing that such development can only thrive in an atmosphere of security.
Supporting the motion, the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, alongside Hon. Jude Umennajiego of Onitsha South, Hon. Emmanuel Nwafor of Orumba South and Hon. Jude Akpua of Njikoka II, also praised the governor for his swift response to the crisis.
The lawmakers called for sustained peace and security in the affected communities, noting that a peaceful environment is vital for economic activities, development and the actualisation of the Soludo administration’s vision of a liveable and prosperous Anambra State.
They condemned the loss of lives in the conflict and called for those responsible for perpetrating and fuelling the crisis to be brought to justice. The legislators also urged aggrieved parties to seek redress through lawful channels rather than resorting to self-help, while calling on community leaders to take responsibility for maintaining order among their people.
