The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Chukwuma Ilang has advocated for peace among the people of Amana community in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Commissioner made this plea on Tuesday during his compulsory meeting with the people of Amana community in his office at Old Government House, Abakaliki.
He disclosed that the purpose of the meeting was called in line with the mandate of the State Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru in his administration to see that there is peace in all parts of Ebonyi State.
This is enshrined in his people’s charter of need in which peace is domiciled in the Ministry to ensure that peace reigns
in every nooks and crannies as the State is counted among one of the peaceful states in Nigeria.
Hon. Ilan waded into the case following petition filed to his office by one of the groups led by Chief Felix Nkpuma over a leadership tussle which may cause crisis in the area if my office would not step into the matter.
The Commissioner after receiving their submissions directed that henceforth, elections or selections of traditional rulers should be suspended until further notice. He also warned that nobody should in anyway parade himself as the Traditional Ruler of Amana community until government resolves the issue.
He further pleaded with the people of the community to ensure that peace is being maintained in the area.
Speaking, the former Coordinator of Ezza South Development Centre, Hon Raphael Igwe said that Amana has not had chaos in chosing who becomes their traditional ruler before, lamenting that he did not know where the interest that is causing the problem came up from.
He, however, urged them to exercise patience and abide by the directives of the government through the Honourable Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Dr. Donatus Ilang until a lasting resolution is achieved.
In his vote of thanks, the stakeholder of the community and a Rtd. Permanent Secretary, Chief Felix Nkpuma, on behalf of Amana people, thanked the Honourable Commissioner and his team for their wisdom in handling the case, promising that they will adhere strictly to his directives until the issue is resolved amicably.