The people of Effium in the Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State under the aegis, Concerned Indigenous People of Effium (CIPE), have called on the executive governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Nwifuru, not to take sides in the communal crisis that has been lingering between them and their Ezza counterparts who they claim are settlers.
The group also accused the governor of being biased in the political appointments he has made so far, adding that from his appointment he favoured Ezza indigenes, a development they fear would be used to cause further crisis.
The group in a passionate letter to the Governor titled: An Open Letter To His Excellency Rt. Hon Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, The Executive Governor Of Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Re: Roadmap To Sustainable Peace In Effium Land; The Indigenous People’s Position," appealed to the governor not to toe the path of his predecessor, David Umahi, who they accused of looking the other way while Ezza people allegedly killed and maimed their people because of his political interest.
In the letter signed by eight members of the group, namely: Comrade Emmanuel Acha, Pst Chinatu Edene, Hon. Chief James Idenyi, Mr. Uche Sunday, Mr Emmanuel Ogigba, Comdr Chukwuma Obo, Mr Ishegbe Sunday Ekpe and PST Bright Elias Eje, they, however, congratulated the governor on his emergence as the new first man of the state.
They also commended his commitment to end the three-year-old war but urged him to be above board in his efforts to broker an enduring peace.
The letter reads in part: "Your Excellency, special greetings from the good and peace-loving indigenous people of Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
"The Concerned Indigenous People of Effium (CIPE) wishes to firstly congratulate you for your emergence as the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State from the just highly contested gubernatorial elections.
"Your Excellency, we the indigenous people of Effium have been watching with keen interest how the government of Ebonyi state under your leadership has been handling the issues pertaining to the lingering crisis in our dear and once upon a time very peaceful, highly productive and envious community that has contributed impeccably to the social, economic and political developments of Ebonyi state and Nigeria at large.
"We salute your interest and courage expressed through your recent audacious statements demonstrating your readiness to bring to an end the almost 3years old war between the indigenous people of Effium and the Ezza settlers in Effium. However, while your expressed determination is noble, we sincerely advise you to be circumspect and wise in your approach."
Lamenting the destruction of lives and property in the war the Ezzas allegedly waged against their people, they said: "In this present war in Effium, the former governor, Mr David Umahi had unfortunately and helplessly watched the Ezzas murder people from different professional and ethnic groups notwithstanding their constant violations of several cease-fire and peace agreements in the past as instituted by the authorities.
"All these continued without due punishment from the Ebonyi state government and other authorities concerned. Among the groups that have felled victims of Ezzas’ killings in Effium are the road construction engineers (Nelan engineers), Nigeria policemen, ethnic groups such as the Arochukwu, Ngbo, Izzi, Amuda/Idzem, Ikwo, and Ukelle people among others.
"Ezza people have also violated several ceasefire agreements instituted by the previous committees and panels set up by the government of Ebonyi state. Still, the Ebonyi state government is yet to hold the implicated Ezza tribe to account for these killings and terrorism perpetrated by them."
Pleading with the new governor, the group stated that the action and inaction of the state government appear to be in support of the atrocities and heinous crimes allegedly committed by the Ezza settlers in Effium and other Orring communities of the state.
Citing instances, they said "the public is fully aware of the excitement of Ezza people over the exclusion of Orring people from your appointments. Comments from the Ezza sons and daughters via social media platforms are indicative of this show of shame.
"The public is also very much aware of how your government is majorly occupied by the Ezza tribe such as the members of the Ebonyi state House of Assembly, Commissioners, and SSAs to which Effium or Orring persons were not found worthy. We are aware that your hands are tied by the Ezza people and your actions may be influenced by them."
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