A former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has appealed to the people of Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri communities in Anambra East Local Government Area to immediately end their hostilities and embrace peace.
Obi, in a statement on Monday, expressed deep concern over the renewed violence between the neighbouring communities, warning that continued conflict would only worsen the hardship facing residents and cause further destruction.
He said the violence would achieve nothing other than the loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of the livelihoods of innocent residents.
“Hostilities of the kind we are witnessing between the two communities achieve nothing but destruction,” Obi said.
He noted that Nigerians were already struggling with severe economic challenges, stressing that adding the consequences of communal conflict would further compound the suffering of the people.
“At a time when Nigerians are already finding it increasingly difficult to survive, adding the devastation of conflict is like adding fuel to the fire,” he said.
The former governor urged both communities to lay down their arms and pursue dialogue and other peaceful means of resolving their differences.
According to him, no grievance, no matter how serious, is worth the loss of human lives, destruction of homes and livelihoods, or the suffering imposed on families.
Obi called on the people of Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri to choose dialogue instead of violence, reconciliation instead of revenge, and peace instead of destruction.
He further urged traditional rulers, community leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to demonstrate wisdom and leadership by working urgently to end the crisis and restore lasting peace between the two communities.
