Have we abandoned the fight against Fulani herdsmen menace to now fight each other?”…Ex-Gov. Ikedi Ohakim Queries Ndigbo

“Have we abandoned the fight against Fulani herdsmen menace to now fight each other?”…Ex-Gov. Ikedi Ohakim Asks Ndigbo

“As it is, Igbo land seems to be the only part of Nigeria where the people are taking up arms against themselves. Have we abandoned the fight against Fulani herdsmen menace to now fight each other?” were the pathetic words of Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a former Governor of Imo State.

The emotional saddled former Governor condemned in totality the recent attack on the country home of the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, describing the horrible situation as a direct opposite of what the state has been known for over the years.

In a release signed by Chief Ohakim and issued to Newsmen, the former Governor urged all hands to be on deck to ward off the ugly trend, recalling that a similar incidents had occurred at Owerri Correctional Centre, the headquarters of the State Police Command, as well as a few of other Police formations in the state, in recent times.

He regretted that Imo which was over the known for its hospitality across the country had suddenly become a terror zone, while wondering the why of the seemingly hike in insecurity.

Famous Reporters recalls that the Governor’s home, Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area, came under an attack by some yet identified gunmen, resulting in the gruesome killing of two persons.

The release read in part:

“I join millions of other well-meaning indigenes of Imo State to condemn the attack, a few days ago, in the country home of the Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodinma. Coming on the heels of similar incidents at the Owerri Correctional Centre, the headquarters of the State Police Command and a few other public formations in the state. I make haste call on every Imolite, irrespective of partisan of ideological leaning, to join the collective efforts to ward off this ugly trend.

“This is not the Imo State, the rest of our compatriots across the country used to be envious of being peace-loving, patient and accommodating. What went wrong? Yes, our country, Nigeria is faced with a lot of challenges but we cannot be the first to cave in or surrender.

“Imolites are among the most creative and hard working of all the sections of the country and as such, we are not lacking in what it takes to stand up to the situation especially on the economic front”, he noted.

“Yes, there are also internal problems within the State but what is required of us is to mobilize our creative energies, which we have in abundance, and not despondency or resignation to fate. We are very capable of reversing the trend and reposition our individual and collective destinies.

“Imo youths are among the most outspoken and bold but the boldness can only be of use if it is channeled into meaningful engagement with state authority and other stakeholders, not violence.

“As it is, Igbo land seems to be the only part of Nigeria where the people are taking up arms against themselves. Have we abandoned the fight against Fulani herdsmen menace to now fight each other?”

Continuing, he said: “I call on the youths not to succumb to the blackmail that our country, Nigeria has become irredeemable and that as such, they have no future. As dire is the current situation is, the future still remains great because things will definitely turn around”, he assured.

Speaking further, he said: “We may be right in blaming the political leaders for failing live up to expectation but what if those individuals among us who have, out of sheer dint if hard work and the grace of Almighty God, made establishments that have given great opportunities to our kit and kin? Violence can only lead to damaging such private efforts and the economy of the State generally.

Concluding, Chief Ohakim said: “In the last couple of months, our state has been in the news for the wrong reasons. I call on Imolites, particularly the youths, to say “Enough Is Enough!” Surely, from the ashes of the ruin shall arise greatness”, he added.