Victor EzejaGovernor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration in Anambra State has today formally brought to an end the Monday sit-at-home exercise in the state, urging the people to embrace peace as the government has offered olive branch to aggrieved agitators.
It would be recalled that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had in July 2021, declared sit-at-home across Southeast to press home their demand for release of their leaders Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been detained by DSS in Abuja.
At some point the sit-at-home exercise took a negative turn as hoodlums seized the opportunity to unleash mayhem on innocent people in different states in the Southeast, leading to killings and destruction of properties.
READ ALSO: Sit-at-home: Anambra Govt Offers Olive Branch To Agitators, Promises Empowerment
As a measure to end the sit-at-home, which apparently became the proverbial evil wind that blows no one good in the region, the Anambra State government and the joint body of traditional rulers council, and bishops in Anambra State, and other stakeholder groups, held a meeting and issued a joint communique calling for peace and scheduled a general prayer in all churches, prayer houses across the state today to pray for peace and security, and mark the formal end of the unfortunate exercise.
In a statement released by governor Soludo after the prayer exercise across the state, he declared end of sit-at-home in the state and urged all to make commitment towards restoring peace and security in the state, the Southeast and Nigeria in general.
The statement reads, “We have prayed to God, admonished our people and made commitment to ensuring that everyone concerned gets expeditious justice.”
“Following the unanimous agreement of our leaders across board, and the endorsement of the entire body of Christ, I am pleased to inform our people that today, Monday April 4, 2022 marks the official end to the ‘Monday sit-at-home’ in Anambra State.”
Soludo said he has offer amnesty to all agitators who may have taken the path of violence to express their grievances and urged them to surrender their arms and be forgiven.
He also disclosed that he will soon announce members of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee to address issues arising from the agitations with a view to rehabilitating and empowering them to have a meaningful life.
The governor said the committee will also interface with the Federal Government on behalf of all “Prisoners of conscience.”
“The task of taking back our dear State and reclaiming the dignity of our collective existence is at the heart of our drive towards a Liveable and Prosperous Homeland. This task is a MUST.
“I call for your support and prayers, as we have resolved to fiercely go after criminal elements who are out to threaten our peace and distort our development.
“Anambra is the Light of the Nation, we must keep it so,” Soludo noted.
Earlier in a mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Ekwulobia presided over by Bishop Peter Okpalaeke, governor Soludo said no stone would be left unturned in restoring peace and security in the state, noting that they are paramount in building a new Anambra State.
It was part of mass and the prayers held across the state to officially mark an end to the Monday sit-at- home.
Most Reverend Okpalaeke who is the Bishop of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese in the state, commended the governor for his effort in ensuring peace and stability and stressed the need to beef up security across the state.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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