Anambra Professionals Condemn Murderous Disruption Of Political Meeting Of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo
We received with shock and dismay the news of the attack by armed hoodlums on a stakeholders’ political meeting at Isuofia convened by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, a contender for the Anambra State Governorship seat in the gubernatorial election slated for November 6, 2021. There are unrebutted reports of the death of at least three police operatives and the kidnap of the Anambra State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Emeka Ezenwanne.
The League of Anambra Professionals (LAP) is deeply saddened by this most unfortunate incident which has put our beloved state on the global spotlight for the wrong reasons. We commiserate with the families of the slain policemen, the entire Police force and indeed all Nigerians. We pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of these gallant officers who died in active service, and urge the relevant authorities to ensure prompt payment of their entitlements to their families among others.
Our prayers and deep concern are equally with the kidnap victim and his traumatized family. We pray for his safe and speedy return and reunion with his family, and urge the security agencies to redouble their efforts towards this end.
The League of Anambra Professionals condemns in the strongest terms this brazen assault not only on Isuofia community and Anambra State but on our cherished values of civility and solidarity. While the exact motives of the masterminds of this dastardly attack are yet to be unraveled, we fervently hope that it has no political motivation. Accordingly, we call on security agencies to leave no stone unturned in investigating this matter. We also urge all the gubernatorial candidates to publicly denounce the attack in uncompromising terms and affirm their commitment to non-violence in the forthcoming election.
We sympathize with Prof. Soludo and the Isuofia community on this apparently traumatic experience. In line with our longstanding commitment to neutrality, we warn against any acts that would unduly narrow the political field. Indeed, Anambra State has lately been an oasis of peaceful electioneering contests and solidarity among contending political forces. The forthcoming election must not detract from this proud tradition.
While the State has a primary duty to protect lives and property and ensure respect for civilized norms, we urge individuals and communities in the State to be more security conscious in order to meet the demands of the current security challenges in the state. We call on the Anambra State Government and all the security agencies to bolster their security efforts and decisively stem the recent tide of brigandage in the State. We note that the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has often expressed pride in the state as the “safest state in the country,” and urge him to walk his talk by committing afresh to this goal.
MR. CHIJIOKE OKOLI, SAN
President, League of Anambra Professionals