Group urges dialogue to end insecurity in state, volunteers to lead move
The Imo State House of Assembly has declared vacant the seat of the member representing Nkwerre State Constituency, Obinna Okwara.
At a plenary yesterday, the Speaker, Kennedy Ibe, who cited constitutional provision, said the decision followed Okwara’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ibe urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, within the stipulated time in law, conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seat.
In the same vein, the Speaker also lifted the suspension slammed on Authur Egwium, who represents Ideato North State Constituency.
Ibe said that Egwim had shown cogent remorse in an apology letter he wrote to the parliament hence, he deserved to be pardoned.
IN another development, a group, Imo Youths Peace Movement, has said that dialogue was the key to ending insecurity in the state and South-East in general.
This was as it volunteered to lead the move for dialogue with those supposedly behind the incessant attacks in the state if the government could sanction it.
President of the group, Chidubem Ogbenna, made the call while reacting to the resurgence of criminal activities in the state.
Ogbenna also decried huge presence of military men in the state, saying that it was not the solution to the security threats and killings going in the state.
He said that the state had suffered enough security challenges, adding: “We are worried by how insecurity had engulfed South-East states, particularly Imo State.”
The youth activist also urged the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to demilitarise the state as part of measures to ensure lasting peace in the state.
He said: “Dialogue is the only means to solving the problem of insecurity in Imo State. The military does not understand dialogue. They are trained to be forceful and that won’t solve our problem.
“Everyday, we keep losing our young ones. Our state and national assets, including buildings owned by law-abiding citizens are being razed.”
Businesses are folding up. People are now scared to come home. Investors are running away.”
“This is not what we want. We need peace in Imo State. The group is leading the way for peace. We are ready to dialogue with the aggrieved youths and I shall lead the journey if government sanctions it.”
“Youths can talk to youths in a language they understand no matter how bad they are. Let the government remove military operation in Imo and South-East states.
“Let the government give us the chance to bring permanent solution by removing the army from the streets,” Ogbenna added.
