Elechi Condemns Call For Return Of Igbos From North

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State says the calls for the return of Ndigbo from the North due to the killings by the Boko Haram sect are misguided and divisive.

Elechi, who made the remarks on Tuesday at a Town Hall meeting in Abakaliki, said that God created Nigerians to live anywhere in the country and not in Igbo land alone.

“Nigerians everywhere have the task of being united irrespective of religion, ethnicity, tribe, race or socio-political differences that may arise at any given time.”

According to him, asking the Igbos to come home is a retrogressive step which, if implemented, will put an end to the Nigerian nation.

“I say no to that. Nigeria is for all of us and not for some of us. I want to advise us to be closer to the security agents and let them know what is going on in our environment.

“If you have to come home, what about the killings in our own state? The final solution is let goodwill always triumph over evil.”

Elechi explained that the only solution to insecurity was for Nigerians to embrace and cultivate peace in their respective domains.

“Let us preach and practice peace and enforce it as much as we can. Let us not hear of retaliation again. It is not in our dictionary for now.”

The governor said that his administration would utilise the subsidy gains accruable to the state to improve water supply, transportation, and subsidise fertiliser to farmers.

Elechi said that government would, within two months, give the road network in the state capital a face lift.

He, therefore, directed the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Housing to look for lands where artisans and petty traders, among others, would be relocated for their economic activities.