Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu earlier today said that the Abia State Government has long set up machinery to resolve conflicts between herdsmen and farmers.
According to him, conflict is inevitable in human relations management but Abia State has in place a standing Conflict Resolution Committee headed by the State Commissioner of Police to settle conflicts arising from the two groups, at the state level, while similar committees exist at the various LGAs with Chairmen of the respective Local Government Areas heading the committee alongside the respective Divisional Police Officers.
To date, the committees at the different levels have resolved many conflicts and helped to engender peace within our communities.
In many cases, resolution involves compensating the farmer and/or herdsman for loss of crops and/or cattle. That way, the state is able to maintain peaceful co-existence among people of diverse backgrounds.
Speaking to TheWhisperer, a Coalition of Northern Nigerian Youth, under the auspices of the Northern Nigerian Peace Foundation, has commended the efforts of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in sustaining peaceful coexistence of ethnic groups living in Abia State.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Hamza Talba, the BOT Chairman; said other Southern Governors should emulate Governor Ikpeazu in promoting peaceful coexistence of all ethnicity in their states.
“I want to commend Governor Ikpeazu’s for being a bridge builder and unifier of all. Others should emulate him.”
Similarly, the National Coordinator of North Central Nigeria Youth for Change, Comrade Mohammed Ibn’ Aliyu commend Governor Ikpeazu for being a proactive and peaceful leader.
“The fracas that ensued between the Fulani hearders and the indigenes of ondo state has taking an ugly downturn that has raised alot of concerns within and outside the shores of the country.
“As expected, leaders has to swing into action because desperate times calls for desperate measures; Some Governors resorted to evicting the Fulanis out of their land as a means of conflict resolution, but realistically such haphazard may end up causing more harm than good.”
“In as much as the efforts of all leaders that have acted acted are laudable, it is also worthy of note that winning a war is important but organising the peace after the war is sacrosanct. Which explains why the detribalized governor Ikpeazu of Abia state has ensured to address conflict resolution that would not only restore peace temporarily but ensure a sustainable peaceful coexistence between the warring factions.”
“This is a laudable conflict resolution that the workaholic governor has done.”
A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health, Al-haq School of Hygiene, Health and Technology Keffi, Comrade Yakubu Arigu Muhammad said Governor Ikpeazu’s patriotism is a testament of his qualification, competence and character; urging Governor to join 2023 Presidential race.
“ Governor Ikpeazu is a Lecturer like me and has character too. I think I will vote for him as President in 2023 if he decides to contest. Infact, I’m urging him to join the race.” He stated.
