Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has invited seven of the 20 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers that signed his impeachment notice for a crucial meeting. The meeting, which would also be attended by major stakeholders in the state is to find a solution to the communal violence that has rocked Nasarawa for about two years, and worsened after efforts to remove the governor from office failed. The invitation for the meeting was contained in statement issued in Lafia, the state capital, immediately after a state-wide broadcast by the governor; few minutes after he returned for an assessment of the trouble areas. The lawmakers invited for the meeting are Godiya Akwashiki, Majority Leader of the Assembly; Nathaniel Mesa, Lafia North Constituency; Mohammed Muluku, Nasarawa Eggon East Constituency; Abdulkarim Usman, Wamba Constituency; Mohammed Bako, Obi I Constituency; Elisha Agwadu, Obi II Constituency; and the Speaker of the Assembly, Musa Mohammed, Nasarawa Central. The governor also invited all the members of the National Assembly from the state and former governor Aliyu Akwe Doma for the meeting scheduled to take place on Tuesday in Lafia. Others invited include traditional rulers from affected communities Mr. Al-Makura had during the assessment of troubled areas claimed to know those behind the frequent crisis in the state. Although he refused to reveal the identities of the alleged sponsors, he described them as politicians, leaders of cultural associations, and community leaders. The governor, who visited the troubled communities in the company of government officials and security operatives, said his administration had mapped out strategies to ensure peaceful coexistence among citizens of the state. He expressed shock at the level of destruction that has led to the displacement of hundreds of people currently in refugee camps. He also attributed the recurring crisis to suspicion and lack of trust among residents. “Equally disturbing is the fact that the populace continue to live with trauma and demoralisation,” the governor said. “The cumulative effect of all these is mutual suspicion, loss of confidence in one another and the psyche of fear, insecurity and pessimism”. “As a consequence, a number of lives have been lost while properties of inestimable value have also been destroyed. Added to this, thousands of innocent citizens of the State have been displaced from their places of abode and made destitute over night. This is unacceptable. “It is against this backdrop that I use this solemn moment to sue for peace and restraint among all communities and ethnic groups. At this critical period of our history, our state deserves stability in all ramifications”. Mr. Al-Makura reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure peace returns to the affected communities and to create enabling environment for communities to live in peace. “In our strive towards achieving development, mutual cooperation, communal harmony and respect for one another are essential ingredients,” he said. “In this connection, we must eschew all primordial sentiments, bitterness and acrimony in any form
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 20:18:53 +0000
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