By Jacob Ogodo
The member representing Afikpo-North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Iduma Igariwey has urged Ebonyi state government to constitute a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of political crisis that bedevilled Ekoli Edda iwhich led to the wanton destruction of lives and properties worth millions of naira.
Igariwey explained that the essence of the inquiry is to bring the masterminds of the crisis to book, ensure that justice is done to the dead, as well as to forestall a repeat in the future.
Speaking in a press statement on Saturday, Igariwey said that it was necessary for Ebonyi State government to midwife a genuine reconciliation in the community, stressing that no community, state or nation thrives in an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, killings and destruction of property”.
Ekoli-Edda in Afikpo South local government area of Ebonyi state was embroiled in fratricidal crisis on 26th December 2022 when loyalists of two politicians from the community engaged in gun duel and according to a Police Report, four persons, including a police officer and a seven month pregnant woman were killed.
He appealed to the warring factions in the Ekoli-Edda crisis to sheathe their swords and allow peace to return to the community, even as he made a donation of Five Million Naira to ease the lots of persons who were forced to flee their homes as a result of the crisis.
While sympathizing with the families that lost their loved ones and valuables, Hon Igariwey expressed optimism that the state government will do the needful by putting a judicial panel of inquiry in place to addre the issue once and for all.
“It is not enough to detain one or two persons in what amounts to protective custody without getting to the root cause of the problem”, Hon Igariwey said.
