By James Ndubuisi Nwakpa and Sharon Akuboh
Worried by the lingering Land disputes that has culminated in several deaths from Amasiri and Edda, loss of millions of naira worth properties, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has Initiated a Peace Process that would resolve the lingering communal Land disputes involving the people of Amasiri, Edda, and Akpoha communities in the state.
During a meeting convened Thursday by the Governor, stakeholders and traditional rulers from the affected communities met in a bid to resolve and restore lasting peace. Speaking with the journalists shortly after the meeting, Governor Nwifuru announced that both Amasiri and Edda communities had agreed to abide by the provisions of the government white paper issued in 2002 and revalidated in 2023. He described the development as a major milestone in the state’s Peace-building efforts.
Rt Hon Nwifuru, expressed happiness that the parties involved, had agreed to abide by the decisions of the Peace Committee earlier set up to handle the Amasiri and Edda Land disputes by accepting to embrace the terms of the government White paper, which according to him shows commitment to ending years of hostilities and charting a new course of unity.
The governor equally thanked the people of Amasiri and Akpoha for demonstrating maturity and readiness to coexist peacefully. He revealed that both communities had voluntarily delegated two Commissioners, Prof Amari Omaka Chukwu (Amasiri) and Prof Nwogo Aguka Obasi (Akpoha) alongside their traditional rulers to mediate and resolve the disputes through traditional means within two weeks.
Governor Nwifuru emphasized the role of peace in sustainable development, expressing optimism that with the communities’ cooperation and adherence to directives, lasting peace would be soon be achieved in those areas.
In a related development, the Executive Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area Rt Hon Nwachi Timothy and that of Edda Local Government Area, Prince Chima Ekuma Nkama, commended Governor Nwifuru for addressing the core issues behind the conflicts.
Both Hon Timothy Nwachi and Prince Nkama assured of their administration’s continued support for the state government’s efforts, urging all parties to prioritize peace for the collective interest of their respective communities.
The peace meeting is a long walk towards fostering unity and bringing an end to the continued hostilities among the affected communities, there are high hopes that these efforts would yield long-lasting results. Kudos to the Proactive governor of Ebonyi State, Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru.
We are hopeful that justice will be served and all involved go home happy and live peacefully. Over the years the good people of Amasiri have been known for their hospitality and have always lived in Peace with all their natural neighbours, little wonder the people of Igbere, Mpu and Akaeze signed a Pact with Amasiri that has lasted for generations. God bless Ebonyi State.