By Ayodele Oni
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has brokered peace over a threat by the Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), to the Igbo.
NCM had issued a 14-day ultimatum to Igbos resident in the North to leave.
The NCM has now rescinded its order after a meeting convened at the instance of the Abia State Governor, with the leadership of the Umuchieze Cattle Market regarding the State Government’s decision to make the Cattle Market a daily one.
The withdrawal of the quit notice was announced by the president of the group, Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, who led the leadership of the Umuchieze cattle dealers to the meeting at the Governor’s residence.
Aliyu explained that after the meeting with Governor Otti, the group realized that there was no tribal sentiment attached to the Abia State Government’s decision.
He declared that Governor Otti means well and is interested in the security and safety of the traders at the cattle market, contrary to earlier allegations that he had asked Northern residents in Abia State to leave.
“That is how governance and leadership should be. Communication is very important. Governor Otti is a leader that understands the importance of communication and also the feelings of the people. And this talk has truly brought out a peaceful atmosphere.
“I’m using this medium to say that we’ve cancelled that 14-day ultimatum that was given to Easterners.”
Aliyu advised Northern communities resident in Abia State to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and be good ambassadors of the Northern people, wherever they find themselves.
“Respect leaders, respect elders, do not break the law, this is what our culture had taught us. We will continue to pray for peace, unity and good governance in Abia, and the south east and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Otti, while receiving the guests restated that his interest in making the Umuchieze Cattle Market a daily one is to end the killings, kidnappings and other criminal activities going on at the market.
The Governor emphasized that he is a detribalized Nigerian, noting that he does not know about segregation and can never be associated with tribalism.
He stated that Government’s earlier directive was misunderstood and pointed out that the aim of making the market a daily one was to secure the place in the overall interest of the traders and residents alike.
Governor Otti said that the meeting, convened at his instance, was to explain the true position of Government, adding that without security, there would be no development.
“Anytime we allow religion and ethnicity to play a role in what we are doing, we are missing the point. What I have come to do in governance is to give service to the people. We want everyone living in Abia State to live in peace and harmony.”
The Governor announced that the State Government’s decision to enforce the use of markets, and has devoted a lot of money to rebuild the cattle market and make it a proper market.
“Wherever you come from, you will agree with me, even in Kano, Kaduna, everywhere, markets are markets and homes are different from markets.
“We are going to divide the market into different sections. You’ll have the cattle section, you’ll have the electronic section, you’ll have the textile section and everything that anybody wants to buy. We will upgrade it in such a way that those who are operating in the market will be very happy.
“We are not going to tolerate any brothels or hotels or where people will be pretending that they are accommodating people meanwhile they’re selling hard drugs and selling mkpurumiri, methamphetamine, I’m sure you’ve heard about that.
“I have also said that we will secure the entire market and fence it round and there will be a gate to enter and a gate to exit.”
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