The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), a coalition of sociocultural and economic organizations rooted in the community in the north, has rescinded a 14-day ultimatum given to Igbo residents in the north to leave. Following a meeting called by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, with the Umuchieze Cattle Market leadership to discuss the state government’s plan to make the cattle market a daily event, the NCM revoked its order.
Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, the group president, made the announcement to rescind the leave notice after leading the Umuchieze cattle dealers’ leadership to the meeting on Tuesday at the governor’s mansion. He stated that, in contrast to earlier rumors that he had ordered northern Abia State citizens to leave, Governor Otti meant well and was concerned about the security and safety of the merchants at the cattle market. “That is how leadership and governance should be,” he declared. Effective communication is essential. Governor Otti is a capable leader who recognizes the value of interpersonal relationships and communication. And there was definitely serenity in the air after this conversation. “Using this platform, I would like to announce that the 14-day ultimatum issued to Easterners has been revoked.”
He applauded the Governor for his pledge to help the vulnerable residents of the northern neighborhood who are renting homes outside of the market and to meet with them on a regular basis to discuss matters pertaining to their well-being. Comrade Aliyu gave the residents of the northern community in Abia State advice on how to uphold the law, show respect for legitimate authority, and represent the northern people well wherever they go. Aliyu issued a warning, saying, “This is what our culture had taught us: respect leaders, respect elders, do not break the law. We will continue to pray for peace, unity, and good governance in Abia, the south east, and Nigeria as a whole.”
As he greeted his visitors, Governor Otti reiterated his desire to put an end to the murders, kidnappings, and other criminal activity occurring in the Umuchieze Cattle Market.
The governor emphasized that he is a Nigerian who has been detribalized, saying that he is unaware of segregation and cannot be connected to tribalism. He clarified that the previous order from the government had been misinterpreted and that the purpose of turning the market into a daily event was to protect the space for the benefit of both vendors and locals.
Governor Otti stated that the purpose of the meeting, called at his request, was to clarify the actual state of affairs inside the administration and to emphasize that progress would not be possible without security. “We are missing the mark if we let religion and ethnicity influence our actions. Serving the people is what I have come to accomplish in government. We desire a peaceful and harmonious existence for all residents of Abia State,” he declared.
The governor informed his guests that the state government had made the decision to forbid the use of marketplaces and had invested a significant sum of money to reconstruct and upgrade the livestock market. “Wherever you come from, you will agree with me, even in Kano, Kaduna, everywhere, markets are markets and homes are different from markets.”The market will be split up into several divisions by us. There will be sections dedicated to livestock, electronics, textiles, and whatever else that people like to purchase. We’re going to update it so that market participants will be really satisfied.”You’ve probably heard of brothels and hotels, where proprietors pose as lodging establishments while peddling hard narcotics and methamphetamine (mkpurumiri). We will not stand for any of that.
“I have also said that we will secure the entire market and fence it round and there will be a gate to enter and a gate to exit,” Governor Otti remarked. Navy Commander Macdonald Uba (Rtd), the governor’s special security advisor, stated in his contribution that the government’s security measures were necessary due to the persistent crimes in and around the cattle market. He said that the market has seen a decrease in crime throughout the last two months. According to the Governor’s Aide, the state administration wants to protect the safety of the vendors and Umunneochi LGA inhabitants, which is why the market is daily and non-residential.
By- Charles Chinekezi