Lawmaker representing Ideato North/South at the House of Representatives, Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has said that Governor Hope Uzodnma of Imo State is fueling insecurity in Imo State and South-East region.
The lawmaker made the remark in an interview on Monday, stressing that it is important to identify the remote cause of insecurity in the region and address the need to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for a lasting peace.
Speaking about the role of the South-East governors in ensuring that sit-at-order comes to an end and peace returns to the region, he said, “Some of the governors in the South-East are enjoying the crisis in the region. Possibly they’re benefiting from the insecurity.
“Some of them recruited vigilante group from neighbouring states into their state security architecture. The vigilante people turned out to be unknown gunmen. You can see what I went through. Some of them attacked me.
“The vigilante group that the governor of Imo State is running goes after his political opponents. People are being killed, houses are being burnt, and youths are being kidnapped
“Hope Uzodima is fueling the crisis in Imo State. I have evidence to back that. If you go to Ohaji-Egbema, Osu, you’ll agree with the report of an international organisation that over 12,000 people have lost their lives as a result of Ebube Agu activities.
“Was it not the same people that attacked Hon Kingsley that he couldn’t participate in the election? Is that how to maintain security? I cannot vouch for him (Uzodinma), I know that Charles Soludo is trying to adopt both the political and security approach to end insecurity
On the role of the leaders in the region to end insecurity, he said, “At the level of the House of Representatives we have started meeting. The most important thing is that we should stop apportion blame. We should consider how to move forward and restore the feeling of inclusion, unity, and restore an atmosphere that will allow for economic development.
“Government gets taxes from the economic activities that is being destroyed, so it is also losing revenue.
On why President Bola Tinubu should release Kanu he said, “If we continue the legal path at the end of the day this matter will escalate. The President has so much power under the constitution which he can use to bring this matter to a close.
“The most important thing is that we want peace in the South-East, everywhere is devastated. Erosion is devastating our environment, infrastructure has collapsed.
“Any leader who wants the progress of this country will allow stakeholders to come in to see a lasting solution.
“I’ve this believe that the present administration going by what they have said, that they’ll run an inclusive government, and ensure unity in the country will consider the release of Nnamdi Kanu as a critical step towards the path of peace,” he said.
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