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Ngige, Uba meet in abuja today
�More Mopol deployed
�Ulasi alleges death of cousin
FELIX DURUMBAH, (News Editor), NDIDI OKAFOR, (Dep Political Editor), Abuja and FELIX UKA, Awka
GOVERNOR Chris Ngige of Anambra State and his estranged political godfather, Chief Chris Uba, are to meet today
at NICON Hilton Hotel, Abuja, to deliberate on the situation in Anambra State, scene of last week�s violence.
The reconciliation move came even as the state Government House, Awka, yesterday put losses sustained from the
violence at about N6 billion, while former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Dan
Ulasi, alleged that he lost his cousin in the mayhem.
Also yesterday, a fresh contingent of 200 mobile policemen arrived the state to further beef up security.
The meeting between Gov Ngige and Chief Uba, Daily Champion gathered, would dwell soley on "reconciliation
of the two warring factions in the state."
The reconciliation meeting, sources said will be moderated by Governor Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State who is also the
chairman of the South East Governors Forum.
It was learnt that the meeting which would begin at 11.00 am, would also be attended by Dr. Fred Odua, Chief Agbo
Anaekwe, Chief Uchenna Emordi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Anambra and Chief Dan Ulasi, chieftain
of the party in the state.
The seven-man meeting led by Gov. Egwu would fashion out the terms for lasting peace in the state.
Violence had broken out in the state, last week, as hoodlums attacked property belonging to the state government.
Governor Ngige, had in a reaction accused Chief Uba, his loyalists and the police of being responsible for the
mayhem but Uba and the police have since denied the allegation.
The latest cop deployment to Anambra State including officers and men who came from Kano, bring to 1000 the number
of policemen posted to the state after last Friday�s National Security Council meeting where President Olusegun
Obasanjo gave the order.
Property targeted and torched during last week�s mayhem included the Governor�s Lodge, Onitsha, an edifice constructed
by the defunct Eastern Nigeria regional government and bequeathed to the present Anambra State.
Also affected were Government House, the seat of power, the Iyiagu Estate residential quarters of members of the
state House of Assembly, the state radio stations in Onitsha and Awka and the state television station in Onitsha.
Reportedly damaged were several government vehicles, the state-owned Ikenga Hotels and the Women Development Centre
(WDC), Awka.
Speaking to Daily Champion on phone, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the State Governor, Mr
Fred Chukwuelobe, said "our losses amount to at least N6 billion."
Lamenting the magnitude of destruction, Mr Chukwuelobe added that effects of the mayhem had "taken Anambra
State back to the pre-1991 era." Anambra State as presently constituted was created in 1991.
According to the aide, the governor said he would soon return to assess the damage done and begin the restoration
process in the state.
Mr Chukwuelobe also confirmed that 200 additional mobile policemen had been deployed to the state to beef up security.
Meanwhile, 80 clerics from the South-East, will begin a meeting in Onitsha over the violence in Anambra State.
Their schedule includes a programme of prayers and a fast.
Leading men of God expected are Bishop Mike Okonkwo, national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
(PFN), Revs. Uma Ukpai, Ephraim Ndife, Benson Ezeokeke and several others.
Host of the meeting, Rev. Paul Nwachukwu of the Grace of God Mission, Onitsha, told newsmen in the city yesterday
that recent occurrences in Anambra State have spiritual undertones, pointing out that such has been the trend since
the state was created.
Solution to the crises, he said, lies not in the hands of politicians, but in turning to God.
Ulasi, a former chairman of the PDP in Anambra State, told Daily Champion, that his cousin, Mr. Uche Onyemelulewe,
a student, lost his life to the violence.
Describing the killing of his first cousin as the act of "mindless gun totting hoodlums," Chief Ulasi
said the development puts a lie to the allegations that those opposed to the government of Governor Chris Ngige,
masterminded the violence.
Chief Ulasi, who belongs to the anti-Ngige camp, alleged that his deceased cousin was shot by armed men who stormed
Awka to disrupt a rally preceeding local government elections scheduled for December 18.
The one-time Ngige loyualist turned his back on what he termed the alleged governor�s determiantion "to do
anmything" to forestall planned council polls in the state, adding that most of the candidates are independent
of the governor�s control.
Chief Ulasi alleged that the sama candidates who are now being opposed by the governor are the same people who
amde his emergence possible.
"His die hard opposition is even morally wron
© 2004 @ Champion Newspapers Limited (All Right Reserved).
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