Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi said that the State Government was doing everything possible to ensure that all inter-state boundary disputes affecting communities in Ebonyi were resolved permanently.
Nwifuru stated this on Saturday at Isiaka, the headquarters of Ivo Local Government Area of the state at a campaign rally for the reelection of Chief Emmanuel Aja, chairman of Ivo LGA in the forthcoming Ebonyi Council election.
The governor who was represented by Mrs Patricia Obila, deputy governor of the state noted that the government was collaborating with the National Boundaries Commission (NBC) and other relevant bodies to ensure that border communities in the state enjoyed peace.
He regretted that some communities in Ivo had been embroiled in boundary disputes with their neighbouring communities in Abia state, but expressed optimism that all boundary related disputes in the state would be a thing of past soon.
He said: “Our duty as a government is to ensure that there is peace in every part of the state; I’m aware that Ivo people you have some problems in some areas, let me assure you that we are not sleeping , we have contacted the NBC and other relevant bodies involve in boundary matters.
“Soon, they will be here in Ebonyi to give you that very peace that you demand; and on this note I wish to thank the youths for being very peaceful and for not engaging in act of fighting with your neighbours.”
The governor commended the people of Ivo LGA for the peaceful conduct that they demonstrated during the nomination of candidates for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming council elections and urged them to sustain the peace.
He also called on those who were agrieved to join ranks with the party and its candidate to usher the party to victory during the election.
“We couldn’t have come this far without your cooperation , had it been that during the time of selection we had some ramcours , it wouldn’t have been easy, I want to thank you for your understanding and to assure you that government will always be there for you,” he said.
The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to deepening good governance at the grassroots and highlighted the importance of credible and democratic election in selecting leaders for grassroots administration.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the APC flag to the chairmanship candidate, Chief Emmanuel Aja by the deputy governor on behalf of the governor.
Aja, in a speech lauded the governor for his people-oriented governance and for ensuring that peace and security were prevailing in every part of the state.
He pledged to follow in the footsteps of the governor if elected assuring that he would provide genuine and credible leadership for the people of the council.
“I want to thank the governor for taking governance to the next level in the state; I wish to assure him that we in Ivo and myself will not disappoint him, that the peace he has brought in Ivo LGA will be sustained.
“I’m appealing to everyone who feels agrieved to forgive since peace is the only prerequisite for development and there cannot be development without peace and I’m certain that with peace and collective efforts, we will surely achieve victory at the poll,” Aja said.
Our forrespondent reports that the rally attracted a mammoth crowd of APC faithful and supporters including Chief Moses Odunwa, Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, APC state chairman among other dignatories. ENDS//
