Governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, under aegis of Progressives Governors Forum, PGF, on Tuesday, stormed Enugu Government House, to commiserate with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on the killing of about 46 people of Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state by rampaging Fulani herdsmen on April 25.
The APC governors, led by Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, said they were in Enugu to share in the peoples’ moment of grief, even as he reiterated the need for unity and indivisibility of the nation.
They vowed to “join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book and forestall a recurrence, adding that “this time, we speak about the unity of this country.”
This came as President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, restated his resolve to deal decisively with marauding Fulani herdsmen.
The President maintained his stance against the background of reports of continued attacks on communities across the country by armed herdsmen.
While addressing Governor Ugwuanyi and the State Executive Council members at the Exco Hall, Government House, Okorocha said: “We are governors from various states representing the entire governors elected under APC platform.
“We are here because of the tragic incident that took place here on April 25. Death is painful but the most is, man-made death. We are here because you are one of us, irrespective of political party affiliations.
“In death, we are one. We are here to commiserate with you and the people of Enugu State over the dastardly act. You (Ugwuanyi) have shown maturity in handling the provocative incident. The traditional rulers have demonstrated a high sense of leadership by suing for peace rather than retaliation.
“This incident is a criminal act and cannot be associated with tribe, religion or political party. We condemn it in its entirety. We will join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book and forestall a recurrence.
“This time, we speak about the unity of this country. All the APC governors would have been here but we are representing them because of some tight schedules. We re-affirm the unity of this country which is not negotiable. Our sympathy goes to the victims and their families. This matter is being handled with utmost urgency by the Federal Government.”
Speaking on behalf of Northern Governors under APC, Governor Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State, said: “We are here to register our profound condolence to the people of Enugu State over their tragic loss. As a nation,we mourn and rejoice with each other at different times. We have lived with our brothers and sisters in the North-East ravaged by Boko-Haram for years.
“What kept us going was the empathy from people living outside the North-East. Times like this call for maturity, calmness, leadership role. We are one nation with a common destiny. The killers should be treated like criminals and should be fished out and dealt with.”
Welcoming the visitors, Governor Ugwuanyi assured that a judicial panel of inquiry had been set up, adding that government had moved to fund the 472 Neighbourhood Watch Groups in all communities in the state to compliment efforts of the security agencies to forestall a repeat of such dastardly act. – Vanguard.
