By Ogbonna Casmir, Enugu
Governors of All Progressive Congress (APC), yesterday condemned the killing of scores of people in Ukpabi-Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Council Area of Enugu State, describing the massacre as most shameful.
Loading ...The Progressive governors who were on a condolence visit to the Enugu state governor said they would ensure that such attack will be the last that will happen in Nigeria, and appealed for calm while they urged Nigerians to live in harmony anywhere they reside.
Speaking on behalf of the governors, the Chairman of APC Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, assured Nigerians and indeed Enugu state people that the federal government has taken up the matter and “very soon the culprits will be brought to book”.
According to him, “we are here because of the recent ugly incidents that took place in Enugu state that recorded loss of many lives. As you are aware death is death and death is painful no matter the shape you find it but the most painful death is a death that is manmade and the one that one never anticipated. So we are here to console you because you are one of us and this nation of ours is one irrespective of political party affiliation.
APC governors who said death have no party linage, said they were in Enugu to show concerns over this great loss.
“We are APC governors, you are PDP but in death there is no party so we have come here to show our concerns over this great loss, I commiserate with you and the good people of Enugu state in this moment of grief and trial.
“It is important also to state that the people and government of Enugu state have shown maturity in handling the matter at this level of provocation, in some areas and in some countries it would have been a differences story by now which would have resulted in retaliation, so first we want to commend you, the government and the people of Enugu state for holden front making sure that this did not generate in ethnic war.
“A criminal in Borno is the same thing with a criminal in Enugu state. We will ensure that this will be the last that will happen in Nigeria. Let us speak about the unity of this country. We are here to dramatize it.
Also speaking the Chairman Northern Governors Forum and Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima said it is our duty to bring condolence to the people of Enugu at this time of sadness, stressing that their experience of Boko Haram have made them know it pains of such killings.
“A moment of happiness and in a moment of sadness, experience with Boko Haram, we know it pains of such killings. Ebonyi state donated, this is difficult times and time to show maturity. I commend the governor and government of Enugu state, royal fathers. Alhaji Umoru Athiru was elected as mayor of Enugu.
We see the perpetrators as criminals and should be treated them as so. No town or village in this country you go without Igbo. They are enterprising and forgiving. We may have differences along the way but let us build the nation together.
Responding the Enugu state governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said the visit is very heartwarming stressing that it shows that Nigerians sympathize with the state.
He stated that the state government will setup judiciary panel of inquiry to look into what happened, saying whether PDP, APC or any other party “we are united in this”.
The Progressive Governors in attendance are: the Chairman of APC Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Chairman of Northern Governor Forum and Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima, Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and deputy governors of Kogi and Yobe state.
