The Executive Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Chief Euphemia Nwali, has warned political parties, leaders and their supporters against political violence, intimidation and other acts capable of breaching the peace in the council area, declaring that no political ambition is worth the blood of any son or daughter of Ezza South.
Nwali, in a press statement issued on Sunday, said her administration would not tolerate any form of crisis, thuggery, harassment, attacks or political violence capable of disrupting the peace and security of the area.
She specifically called on opposition political parties, their leaders, members and supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and within the confines of the law.
“Let me state clearly and without any ambiguity that I will not tolerate any form of political violence, crisis, intimidation, attack, thuggery, harassment or any act capable of disrupting the prevailing peace and security in Ezza South Local Government Area,” the council chairman said.
She said while every citizen was entitled to freedom of political choice and political parties had the constitutional right to carry out lawful activities, such rights must be exercised with maturity, tolerance and respect for the safety and freedom of others.
“Politics should never be allowed to divide our people, destroy lives, threaten businesses or create unnecessary tension in our communities.
“Everybody is entitled to his or her political choice, and every political party has the constitutional right to carry out lawful political activities. However, such rights must be exercised with maturity, tolerance and respect for the rights, safety and freedom of other citizens," he said.
The chairman stressed that the lives of residents must not be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition.
“No political ambition or interest is worth the blood or life of any son or daughter of Ezza South. I will not stand by and watch any individual or group, no matter how highly placed or politically connected, turn our peaceful local government area into a theatre of violence, crisis and insecurity,” she said.
Nwali said necessary steps had been taken to mobilise the police, internal security personnel and other relevant security agencies across the local government to protect lives and property and guarantee the peaceful conduct of lawful activities.
According to her, the security measures were designed to ensure peaceful movement and enable residents to go about their normal businesses without fear.
She warned individuals or groups allegedly planning to sponsor attacks, intimidate residents or foment crisis to have a change of heart, saying security agencies had been placed on alert to identify and apprehend anyone involved in acts capable of causing a breach of peace.
“Let those planning to cause trouble, sponsor attacks, intimidate innocent citizens or foment crisis have a change of heart.
“Our security agencies have been placed on alert to identify, arrest and bring to justice anybody or group found to be involved in any act capable of causing a breach of peace," she said.
The Ezza South council boss further declared that political affiliation, social status or connection would not shield anyone found to be threatening public peace from facing the law.
“Nobody is above the law. Irrespective of political affiliation, social status or position, anybody found threatening the peace of Ezza South will be apprehended and made to face the full consequences of his or her actions in accordance with the law,” she said.
Nwali also urged political leaders and stakeholders to caution their supporters against inflammatory statements, hate campaigns, provocation and other actions capable of generating tension.
She said political differences must be pursued through civilised, democratic and lawful means rather than violence and intimidation.
The chairman appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, youth and women leaders, as well as other stakeholders, to support the council administration and security agencies in sustaining peace and stability across Ezza South.
She assured residents that her administration remained committed to the protection of lives and property and urged them to continue with their legitimate businesses without fear.
Nwali, however, said security was a collective responsibility and called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide relevant information on suspicious movements, planned attacks or other activities capable of causing a security breach.
“If you see something suspicious, do not keep quiet. Report it immediately,” she said, adding that timely and reliable information could save lives, prevent attacks and enable security agencies to take proactive measures.
She reiterated that the peace, unity, security and progress of Ezza South remained a priority of her administration, pledging continued collaboration with security agencies and relevant stakeholders.
“Ezza South belongs to all of us. We may belong to different political parties and hold different political opinions, but we are one people, bound by a common heritage and a collective responsibility to protect our communities and secure a better future for our children,” she said.
Nwali called on political actors and residents to shun violence, embrace peace and obey the law, insisting that politics must not be allowed to result in bloodshed.
“I will not allow anybody or group, under whatever guise, to threaten the peace of Ezza South. Politics must not lead to bloodshed. Anybody who chooses to foment trouble or disturb the peace of our people will have the law to contend with,” the chairman declared.
She urged residents to put the interest of Ezza South above political differences and work collectively towards building a stronger, safer and more prosperous local government area.
