Don’t engage in unnecessary fights with stakeholders, Okoli urges Soludo

Chief Rommy Okoli, an elder statesman, has expressed worry over what he described as a sad and negative socio-political development in Anambra.

Okoli, a former executive chairman of Nnewi South Local Government Area who spoke to journalists in Awka on Thursday, said the media brickbat between the government and the church on the one hand and the traditional institution on the other were unnecessary and distractive.

He said the conversation on government policies and their impacts on the economic prosperity and wellbeing of citizens had taken a backseat.

He called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to take full charge and not allow his appointees and propagandists to create tension in Anambra.

“The events in Anambra are no longer palatable; the conversation in the media is no longer about the wellbeing of our people. This must be checked before it degenerates into anarchy.

“We have seen the face-off between the government and the church, between the government and traditional rulers, and even videos on the destruction of businesses they say are operating in unapproved locations.

“This is not good for the image of our state. It is not good for the progress of our state. We need positive and constructive engagement to sustain the peace and tranquilly we are getting back,” he said.

Okoli said Anambra had always been a state of politics with respect and without violence.

He urged Soludo to maintain focus and not engage himself in many fights that would pit him against the masses that he was elected to serve.

According to him, Mr. Governor should collaborate with National Assembly members to attract more dividends of democracy to the people of Anambra State.

“Legislators Ifeanyi Ubah, Tony Nwoye, and Victor Umeh are great patriots with the utmost compassion for the poor. These people mean well, and the masses love them. Let love reign,” he said.