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Ngige, Ubah Resume Dialogue, Jubilation In Anambra Over Security Aides
FROM JOHN-ABBA OGBODO, (ABUJA) AND CHUKS COLLINS, (AWKA)
THE chairmen of the Presidential Committee on Anambra Crises and Ebonyi State Governor, Sam Egwu announced yesterday the resumption of dialogue between Governor Chris Ngige and his estranged Godfather Chris Uba.
Meanwhile Awka, the Anambra State capital erupted into hilarious jubilation following the full restoration of Governor Ngige's full security aides, just as the governor himself toasted the judiciary for its "boldness and justice."
Speaking after the inauguration of the reform committee by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor Egwu condemned the mayhem and destruction in Anambra State, which he described as a "sad commentary on the nation's democracy."
He said: "What is happening in Anambra State is not good for our nascent democracy. We are not moving forward in that direction. So, it is condemnable and should be abhorred."
"How can any one say that Governor Ngige backed out
when he even called me two days ago asking for the next meeting?" he asked. He noted that the crisis had been a long-drawn one, but assured that his committee would "certainly end it and bring the parties to embrace peace." Egwu said the committee took a 'holistic look' at the lapses in the previous efforts and would attempt to avoid them this time around.
The jubilation over the restoration of Ngige's security aides was not limited to the state capital, it was a statewide affair.
Most of the police officers in the governor's new security aides were drawn from the Ebonyi Command while locals were withdrawn.
Ngige has commended the judiciary for proving itself a true "watchdog of the society and one that controls the excesses of the legislature and the executive."
Rising from an extra-ordinary state security council meeting which lasted several hours, the governor told journalists: "We are in a democratic setting and it means that the judiciary is the custodian of the rule of law, and a check on the executive.
"The Inspector General of Police has restored my police aides and Mr. President told me that he called the IG to do so. And with this development, democracy is at work," he added.
Ngige also said that the 17 Southern State Governors meeting this weekend in Benin would deliberate on the Anambra crisis.
He also confirmed that the state's security council considered the security reports of the police, State Security Service (SSS) and other law enforcement agencies on the nagging political crises in the state.
Copies of these, he added, must have been sent to the Presidency and other relevant quarters.
According to him, some reports, especially those of Tuesday night's bomb blast at the Governor's Lodge, were yet to be received for consideration.
He disagreed with the police over the claim that he was not attacked or that an attempt was not made on his life by gun-totting hoodlums last Monday in Awka.
The governor also explained that the hoodlums had succeeded in blocking the road as his convoy approached the Anioma Junction, forced the convoy to veer off to the opposite lane of the highway to avoid head-on encounter.
The hoodlums attacked him first, thereby prompting his security aides to respond, he added.
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