The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has appealed to the people of Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri communities in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State to immediately end hostilities and embrace dialogue.
Obi made the appeal in a statement posted on his official X handle, where he expressed concern over reports of clashes between the two communities.
He warned that continued violence would only bring destruction at a time when many Nigerians were already battling economic hardship and struggling to survive.
Obi said no grievance was worth the loss of lives, destruction of homes and livelihoods, or the suffering inflicted on families.
He stated, “I am deeply pained by the reports of hostilities between the good people of Umuoba-Anam and Aguleri in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State.
“Hostilities of the kind we are witnessing between the two communities achieve nothing but destruction. At a time when people are already finding it increasingly difficult to survive, adding the devastation of conflict is like adding fuel to the fire.”
The former Anambra State governor urged both communities to cease hostilities and seek peaceful ways of resolving their differences.
He said, “I appeal to both communities to immediately cease hostilities and embrace peace. No grievance, however serious, is worth the loss of lives, the destruction of homes and livelihoods, or the pain inflicted on families.
“Let us choose dialogue over violence, reconciliation over revenge, and peace over destruction. There is always a better way to resolve our differences.”
Obi also called on leaders in the affected communities to provide the wisdom needed to restore peace, praying that God would bring an end to the crisis.
In a separate statement, Obi also called for the immediate and safe rescue of about 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members reportedly abducted while travelling to their orientation camp.
He described the incident as another disturbing indication of the worsening insecurity in the country, expressing concern that young Nigerians preparing to serve their country were being forced to travel in fear.
Obi, who made the call in another post on his official X handle on Sunday, said the abduction was a distressing reminder of the growing insecurity across Nigeria.
He said, “These young Nigerians were preparing to serve their nation, but they were unable to travel safely on our roads. Families are increasingly burdened by the fear that their loved ones could fall victim to kidnapping.”
The NDC presidential candidate stressed that protecting lives and property remained the foremost responsibility of government.
He urged the authorities to secure the release of all the abducted prospective corps members and arrest those responsible for the attack.
“We cannot continue to regard insecurity as an ordinary occurrence or act only after people’s lives have been disrupted,” Obi said.
He added that Nigeria must become a country where young people could travel, work and serve their nation without fear.
“I call for the immediate and safe rescue of all the abducted corps members and the arrest of those responsible,” he added.
