Al-Makura Sues For Peace With Assembly Members, Stakeholders
By: Suleiman Bello
Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has called on the residents in the state to seek peace and live in harmony with one another, saying it is the only way the state can develop.
According to AIT report, governor, in a live broadcast to the people of the state, said it was pertinent that he appealed to the collective conscience of the people and to take a critical look at the perilous situation in which the crisis has placed the young, but promising state.
“It has become necessary to address you once more on the recurrent ethnic crisis and militia activities in some parts of our state and no doubt, being aware of the outbreak of yet another round of bloodletting in some parts of the southern and northern senatorial zones within the past few weeks. Consequently, 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 home and made destitute over night. This is unacceptable.”
He lamented that the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are taking refuge in various camps, public buildings and neighbouring communities, was deplorable, especially as they are in dire need of shelter, food and healthcare.
The governor said: “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. We cannot, therefore, afford to raise our arms against one another no matter the circumstance.”
He disclosed that he had called a security meeting of stakeholders in the state to deliberate on how to return peace to the state.
Meanwhile, a member of the state House of Assembly, Baba Ibaku, has said members of the assembly would boycott the peace meeting called by the state governor.
He told journalists that the state government was not serious about its action, adding that the assembly does not believe in the action of the governor.
The house spokesman also denied reports of a fresh plan for another impeachment notice with additional allegations against Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
“An impeachment notice is not told, it is done. If we are compiling fresh allegations against the governor, we will do so. It will not be the media that will urge us to do so with speculations. I don’t want to react to speculations, especially as there are no names mentioned in the report,” Ibaku said.
Governor Al-Makura’s aid, Abdulhamid Kwarra, said the governor would not react on speculations, adding;
“There is no statement in the report that is credited to any named source. We are not aware that the assembly has made any statement, no resolution, no motion. How can we begin to react to what is wholly speculator,” Kwarra said.
A report yesterday alleged that the House was compiling additional allegations on a fresh notice of impeachment against the governor after a panel recently dismissed all allegations contained in the July 14 notice in which the House levelled a 16-count charge of gross misconduct in the bid to impeach Al-Makura.
