The people of the Effium autonomous community in the Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State have expressed concern over misleading press releases and factionalization among the leaders of Ezza-Effium over their resettlement in Effium.
This was contained in a press 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 Governoron Community Development, Hon. Omenka Nicodemus, former member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Onwe, immediate past Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Hon. Barrister Clement Omenkannaya Odah, and twenty-two others.
They expressed concern over what they termed uncoordinated press releases emanating from the two factions of the Ezza-Effium people, saying it was not only capable of derailing the government peace process but disruptive and misleading the unsuspecting public.
They further advised the Ezza-Effium leaders to seek common ground to allow the government to continue her peace process unhindered.
The statement reads: "The Eze-in-council, Effium Community Town Union, the elders, leaders and stakeholders, women, youths and indeed the entire indigenous people of Effium both at home and in diaspora wish to happily felicitate with His Excellency Rt. Hon. Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi state, over the Effium peace process, especially the release of over one hundred and fifty victims of the war who have been detained in the Abakaliki Correctional Centre for over four years.
"Firstly, we profoundly thank you for this kind gesture and do sincerely promise that the peace-loving Indigenous people of Effium will give your Excellency and your implementation committee all the needed cooperation for the restoration of permanent peace to the Effium community.
"Secondly and most importantly, we wish to observe with a great sense of concern the disturbing campaign both in the print, electronic and social media and the unending press releases by different factions of Ezza-Effium people which are not only inappropriate but capable of sending wrong signals to the unsuspecting general public.
"These uncoordinated press releases have the potential of derailing the laudable peace process by the state government and cast doubt over the activities of the implementation committee in Effium.
"We urge leaders of both factions within Ezza-Effium to find a common ground to resolve their differences instead of resorting to conflicting press releases as this approach is not only disruptive but misleading. It is our honest opinion that Government should be allowed to do its work unhindered
"Given the foregoing, we wish to call on the leaders of Ezza Effium to exercise utmost restraints in their comments and releases on the Effium peace process especially the resettlement of Ezza-Effium people in Effium land which is a great concession made by Effium indigenes for the sake of lasting peace and as a testament of goodwill and support to the Government of Ebonyi state", they said.
