The members of the Labour Party, LP, at the National Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives from Anambra State, have decried the ‘alarming’ insecurity in the State. This is even as they urged the State Governor, Charles Soludo to take urgent steps to addressing the situation.
The lawmakers in a joint statement noted that killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes had become daily occurrences in the State.
They, therefore, added that the situation called for “sober reflections” and immediate responses by the State Government.
The statement jointly signed by the National Assembly Caucus of the LP from the State, noted that the approach by the government’s officials in attacking Rev. Fr. Ebube Obinma and anyone who spoke against insecurity in the State would not yield the needed results of ensuring safety for the people.
Recall that Fr. Obinma, a vocal cleric, has lately criticized the government’s handling of the state’s security situation. He thereby demanded for more realistic actions in tackling the situation.
The lawmakers bemoaned the kidnapping of citizens of the State. They noted that among the current victims of kidnappers still being held are a member of the State House of Assembly, one reverend father and two reverend sisters.
They gave the names of the victims as Hon. Justice Azuka (representing Onitsha North Constituency 1), and Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu. The names of the two reverend sisters, and many others were not disclosed.
According to the lawmakers, this highlights the urgent need for the State Government to take decisive actions to address the growing insecurity crisis.
The statement reads partly, “The attention of Labour Party National Assembly Caucus (Anambra State), has been drawn to incessant and unwarranted media attacks by officials of Anambra State Government and their media warriors on Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obinma popularly known as Fr. Ebube Muonso, for beckoning to the Anambra State Government and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to curb insecurity of lives, property and kidnapping incidents in the State.
“As we speak right now, our colleague and party man, Hon. Justice Azuka, representing Onitsha North Constituency 1, elected on Labour Party platform, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, two Reverend sisters and many others are still in the kidnappers’ den.
“To be honest, we are disappointed and shocked by the approach of the Anambra State Government. That instead of taking note of the message of the man of God who should be commended for speaking out and possibly look inwards on how best to solve this security problem, they are busy attacking the messenger (Fr. Ebube Muonso).
“We know as a matter of fact that immediately after this press release calling for sober reflections on how to solve this security problem, the hired media warriors and Anambra State Government officials will unleash on us a tirade and call us worse names than they are calling Fr Ebube Muonso.
“But, of course, that will not bother us because we are used to it. But we appeal to the agents and media warriors of Anambra State Government to leave Fr Ebube Muonso alone.
“We, therefore, call on Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo as the Chief Security Officer of the State, to rise to the occasion. And tackle this menace because the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government.
“As Legislators at the Federal level, steps are equally being taken on how best we can all collaborate to solve this nagging problem bedeviling our dear state.
“Once more, we passionately appeal to the Anambra State Government and its media warriors to leave Fr. Ebube Muonso alone. And to solicit prayers from him and other men and women of God for a solution to the insecurity challenge in Anambra State.”
Those who signed the statement were Sen. Victor Umeh and Sen. Tony Nwoye. Others were Hon. Ozodinobi George; Hon. Afam Victor Ogene; Hon. Idu Godwin Emeka and Hon. Lilian Oroegbu. Also to append their signature were Hon Aniekwe Peter and Hon. Uchenna Annie-Okonkwo.
source: Nigerian Tribune
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