A group of Ebonyi people in Diaspora identified as Ebonyians in Diaspora Organization has pointed out the need for the state government led by Governor Francis Nwifuru to make the white paper on Ezza Effuim/Effuim Community crisis public.
In an open letter to the state government which was signed by the group’s President-General, Daniel Nwibo, Vice-President,
Mrs Anoke Chinonso Eze, Secretary-General, Martins Itumo, among other leaders of the organization urged the government to recheck the recommendations said to have been contained in the white paper.
The group, in the statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki on Monday, while pledging its total support for government’s effort at restoring lasting peace in Effium and other parts of Ebonyi State, admonished Nwifuru to summon the necessary political will to constitutionally resolve all the issues connected to Effium war using relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended in 2011, and the Land Use Act.
It noted that “deploying any other methods, or allowing other burgeoning interests to prevail might amount to subterfuge and miscarriage of justice.”
EIDO sought for the availability of the white paper derived from the Bishop Okoro-led Ezza-Effium Crisis Committee in public domains and insisted that, “If implemented, this could amount to the suspension of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Ebonyi State.”
The statement read, “EIDO has followed developments as regards the three-year old war in Effium community of Ohaukwu LGA in Ebonyi State, especially the management of the challenges faced by the peace committee which included the recalcitrant breaches of ceasefire agreements by parties to the crisis. We had observed in our previous communications that the continuous toleration of these ceasefire breaches by relevant state actors were worrisome, and could precipitate to unwanted consequences.
“EIDO notes with concern the continuous withholding of the report as submitted by Bishop Okoro and his team by the Ebonyi State government, and recognizes, with loathsomeness, that several similar reports have also been kept secret by even the immediate past government. This furtiveness has culminated into the thick wall of doubts and have engendered public speculations.
“Compare this, with the Dr. Steve Orosanya’s committee report of 2011 on restructuring of government parastatals at the federal level that had been a public document more than eight years before its actual implementation by the current government. Considering the foregoing, we pray the Ebonyi State Government to make public the Bishop Okoro-led Committee’s report and other reports by similar committees set up by past governments.
“In addition, EIDO acknowledges that the State government has set up the report’s white paper and implementation team led by the Attorney General of the State, Dr. Ben Odoh. We note, with disquiet and disgust, how a white paper derived from an unseen report could be implemented by the government. EIDO believes that the Bishop Okoro committee was set up for the good of Ebonyi People and funded with Ebonyi People’s taxes. How come the resolutions of the committee have not been made public for the real funders, the Ebonyi People, to have access to the reward of their labour (the report) before any implementation is considered? This is as concerning and obtuse, as it is confusing.
“Because of the above mentioned unavailability of the report for public consumption, there are speculations that part of the implementation plan is to relocate the Ezza Effium People from their original dwelling places without any just cause. EIDO is rather perplexed at the constitutionality of this plan as this directly contravenes section 41& 42 of the 1999 CFRN as amended, which outlines the fundamental rights of citizens to live & acquire properties in any part of Nigeria. If implemented, this could amount to the suspension of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Ebonyi State.
“Furthermore, EIDO wishes to remind the government that there are several communities in Ebonyi State and across the country, where the Ezza-Effium scenarios exist. Hence, this calls for a re-check to prevent avoidable backlashes.
“Finally, considering the stealthy role of mineral speculators in the perpetuation of the Effium crisis, EIDO charges mineral speculators in Ebonyi State to follow due process by properly consulting the host communities, and relevant government agencies so as not to induce crisis among communities in Ebonyi State.”
