February 16, (THEWILL) – The Effium autonomous community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has called on Ezza-Effium leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements regarding the government’s peace intervention efforts, particularly the resettlement process.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the President-General of Effium Town Union, Dr. James Agena, Secretary Amos Akpa, Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Community Development, Hon. Omenka Nicodemus, former member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Onwer, immediate past Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Hon. Barrister Clement Omenkannaya Odah, and 22 others, the community expressed concern over what it described as a **disturbing media campaign** by Ezza-Effium leaders.
The Effium leaders accused Ezza-Effium representatives of engaging in misleading narratives across print, electronic, and social media, which they say are casting doubt on the work of the government’s implementation committee.
“The Eze-in-Council, Effium Community Town Union, elders, women, youths, and the entire indigenous people of Effium, both at home and in the diaspora, felicitate with His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, over the progress of the Effium peace process, especially the release of over 150 war victims detained at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre for over four years,” the statement read.
They further commended the governor for his commitment to restoring peace and assured him of their full cooperation in implementing lasting solutions to the crisis.
Expressing their deep concerns, the Effium leaders urged Ezza-Effium representatives to avoid inflammatory remarks that could undermine the government’s peace agenda.
“In view of the foregoing, we call on the leaders of Ezza-Effium to **exercise utmost restraint** in their statements regarding the resettlement of displaced persons. If there are divisions among them, they should reconcile to ensure seamless implementation of the government’s peace initiatives,” the statement continued.
The group noted that while they had initially chosen to ignore the media campaigns, they decided to speak out to prevent misinformation from derailing the state’s intervention efforts.
“We cannot afford to let external narratives sabotage the hard-earned progress made towards lasting peace in Effium,” they added.
The call for restraint comes amid heightened efforts by the Ebonyi State Government to restore normalcy and facilitate resettlement programs in the crisis-torn community.
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