The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing public dispute between former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Governor Charles Soludo, urging Igbo elders, religious leaders and traditional rulers to intervene and broker reconciliation.
The organisation said the escalating war of words and counter-accusations between the two former and serving governors was unhealthy and could undermine the interests of Anambra State and the wider Igbo community.
The CLO made the call in a statement issued in Awka and signed by its state chairman, Comrade Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme, and Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah.
The statement, themed “Let Us Love One Another,” followed recent exchanges between Obi and Soludo concerning issues including inherited debts, unpaid gratuities and the financial records of Anambra State.
While acknowledging that accountability remains an important principle of democracy, the organisation said such issues should not be allowed to degenerate into prolonged public attacks and counter-accusations.
According to the CLO, the present manner of engagement “does not serve the interest of Anambra State, nor does it serve the greater Igbo nation.”
The organisation also expressed concern that the dispute was attracting negative attention to the South-East, saying it had received reactions from people outside the region questioning the nature of the disagreement between the two Anambra-born political leaders.
The CLO therefore appealed to Obi and Soludo to immediately stop further public accusations and counter-accusations and instead embrace dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation.
It also urged both politicians to prevail on their supporters to refrain from further discussions or accusations capable of escalating the disagreement.
“History will judge them more kindly if they choose dialogue over discord,” the organisation said.
The CLO further called on religious leaders, traditional rulers and elder statesmen to intervene in the dispute before it becomes more difficult to resolve.
Those specifically mentioned by the organisation include the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke; the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Igwe Iweka; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; and former Police Service Commission Chairman, Chief Simeon Okeke.
The CLO said the individuals possess significant moral authority and could help facilitate reconciliation between the two political leaders.
The organisation also appealed for greater unity among the Igbo, stressing that Anambra State was bigger than any individual and that the broader Igbo project should not be subordinated to political disagreements.
Quoting a statement attributed to former Nigerian President and nationalist leader Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the CLO urged stakeholders to “make friends, not enemies” and to approach one another with tolerance and understanding.
The organisation concluded by urging Obi and Soludo to forgive and reconcile in the interest of peace, saying reason should prevail in the ongoing dispute.
The statement was also endorsed by Comrade Sir Ik. Onyekwere, Chairman of the CLO’s Peace and Conflicts Resolution Committee.
