Umahi Reveals Major Cause Of Communal Clashes In Nigeria

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State says the major cause of violent communal clashes across the country is poor leadership.

He spoke while receiving the report of the judicial panel set up to investigate the violent clashes in Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

In a brief remark during the presentation of the report, Umahi said that Nigerian leaders do not think deeply about God bringing them to lead the people.

He, however, said government would meticulously study the report for full implementation of the recommendations.

The governor commended members of the panel for their diligence and commitment in executing the assignment.

The governor also restated the government’s commitment to the resettlement of victims whose houses and other valuables were destroyed during the crisis.

He said that the administration had earmarked N100m to build houses for widows and indigent victims of the “unfortunate crisis.”

“It is a very complex situation and difficult even to start with the token of N100m.

“All over the country, the problem we have been having is our leaders.

“We are leaders and we do not think deeply about God bringing us to lead the people and to know that in a crisis of this nature, it is the less privileged, the old and widows that are killed,” he said.

The governor promised to rebuild the Effium Market to modern standards before the end of his administration.

Earlier, Justice Elekwe Omaka had thanked the governor for the trust reposed in the panel to do the job.

Omaka said the panel, inaugurated on February 8, worked in accordance with the mandate given to it and in line with the terms of reference.

He said that part of the mandate was to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the crisis and to proffer solutions to avert future occurrences.