By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The Special Adviser Non-Indigenes Affairs, Mazi Okey Maduekwe, has sued the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in the 18 local government areas of Cross River state to embrace peace amongst host communities.
He gave the advice recently while addressing the new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Akpabuyo local government area when they paid him a courtesy visit.
“Peace brings development to the people. Cross River state needs absolute peace in all the 18 local government areas”
He recalled how Akpabuyo local government was five years ago as per security issue. There were a lot kidnapping cases on daily basis but the administration of His Excellency Sen Bassey Edet Otu, took it as a very big challenge and had finally restored peace in the area.
“Many Igbos were kidnapped while some abandoned their property and ran away. Today, peace had returned and many that ran away are back in their numbers. This is through the instrumentality of the governor and his administration, he stated”.
According to him, “We should expect more goodies under the leadership of His Excellency as we progresses into his re-election come 2027 general election”.
“The governor, he said, has a lot of love and respect for the Igbos. This is evident in my appointment as Special Adviser on Non-Indigenes Affairs. Before now, it was the business of other ethnic groups.”
He enjoined the leadership of Ohanaeze wherever they are in the state to rally support to return his Excellency on his second term bid coming up in 2027 general election because he had performed creditably well in rebuilding the state.
Mazi Maduekwe advised them to carry out campaign on voters registration to enable them cast their votes for APC come 2027.
He commended the governor for the good fight which had returned the state as oil producing state in Nigeria.
Mazi Okey Maduekwe earlier had reminded them of the need to teach their children or wives ibo language. It is our identity anywhere we are.
On behalf of the state gov, he welcomed them to the office and thanked them for the visit.
He congratulated the new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Akpabuyo local government and wished a peace tenure.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Mazi John Paul Nwankwor said was to formally present the new leadership to the Special Adviser as well as to congratulate him on his appointment.
Also the visit is to seek guidance on how to carry out our mandate as a group and to reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful coexistence between the Igbos and the host community.
“We are here also to discuss areas of collaboration that could promote peace amongst the host community and other non indigenes in the state. The leadership came with representatives of the women because they are our backbone as such we cannot do without them.”
“We believe that under your leadership, the voice of Ndi Igbo will be heard and be stronger. We pledge to work with you and make sure that His Excellency Sen Bassey Edet Otu is re-elected the second term in office
As law abiding citizens, we pay our taxes and will continue to support the development of Akpabuyp local government area and the state in general.
