By David Odama (In Lafia, Nasarawa State)
As tension mounts in Nasarawa State over bomb blast that claimed several lives in Rukubi area of Doma Local government Area of the state, Chairman of the state Inter Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), Hon. Cletus Ogah, on Thursday, called for restraint by all residents to avoid possible reprisal attack in the state.
Ogah who spoke while reacting to the incident that left several people especially the Fulanis dead as well as their cattles, regretted the incident and called on residents of the state to toe the part of unity, harmonious co-existence, tolerance, understanding and peace as a panacea for amicable resolution of the crisis.
Cletus Ogah who is also the Senatorial candidate of Zenith Labour party in Nasarawa South senatorial zone, advised members of the public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as the state governor, Abdullahi Sule, was doing everything within the government limitations to resolve the matter.
“We all must, however, shun rumour mongering and spreading of false information that are capable of exacerbating the incident”, he pleaded.
He noted that peaceful co-existence was needed to boost development and engender cordial relationship. The IPAC chairman however called on all tribal groups in Nasarawa State to imbibe the tenets of peaceful co-existence to avoid incessant communal crises.
"I want to assure residents of the state that the State Government under the leadership of Engineer Abdullahi Sule is taking necessary measures to bring the matter under control,” he assured.
While commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the blast, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Senatorial candidate urged the law enforcement agents to deal decisively with the situation to avert further escalation especially with the general elections around the Conner.
"We cannot afford a crisis situation in Nasarawa State at the time governor Abdullahi Sule is taking necessary measures to sustain the hard earn peace in Nasarawa state", Ogah declared.
“This is time the Government, residents and stakeholders not to stand by and watch the peace, unity the state fail. The peace we have been yearning for should not elude our state, or allow disunity, reign of terror on innocent citizens of the state,” IPAC Chairman stated.
In the same vein, the state publicity Secretary of the ruling APC in the state, Chief Douglas Otaru, has called for understanding among the ethnic groups in the face of provocations.
Otaru while commiserating with those who lost their loved ones, urged them to see the death of the people as an act of God, adding that no individual or group should consider repraisal as the best option especially now that the state needed peace and unity most.
He appealed for calm to create a conducive environment for the state government to address the issues and provide enabling atmosphere for peaceful conduct of elections and development in the state. NNL.
