By Seatrules Ani
Obiaruku/Nigeria: An appeal for calmness and caution have been made to the various quarters that make up Umukwata Kingdom by stakeholders in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the Delta State.
The appeal was made during the security meeting conveyed by the Executive Chairman of the Council, Ogbuefi Chukwudi Dafe to resolve the crisis erupted between Umukwata, Obinomba and Owah-Abbi communities in the area.
Addressing the communities, Ogbuefi Chukwudi unequivocally reiterated that he wants peace in every community across the local government more than anything else throughout his tenure. He also stated that the Delta State Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa desires that peace reigns throughout the state.
He therefore cautioned the people especially the youths not to fight for any reason adding that dialogue can solve almost any issue. “We must not fight. Let us live in peace and stop fighting ourselves. If oil is discovered in our land, it should be for our benefit and development and not our death. Our youths – don’t carry arms for any reason,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, in their separate responses, HRM Friday Abaja the Ukwata of Umukwata Kingdom, the community chiefs and the youths thanked Ogbuefi Chukwudi Dafe for the wisdom he employed to convey the meeting and promised to resolve their differences at the King’s Palace and report back to the chairman.
The meeting was called to resolve the crises that erupted because of the discovery of oil in a section of the kingdom. The discovery led to clash between the people of Umukwata, Obinomba on one side and the Owa Abbi quarter on the other side. Under normal situation, these three quarters are regarded as one indivisible community.
