#Abuochiche -There is a high ray of hope for the people of Ijiegu-Yache in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State and the Tivs settlers of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State following a peace accord by both states over the lingering crisis between the communities.
The landlord-tenant dispute which has lingered for several decades had claimed lots of lives and property from both sides of the divide as the once peaceful communities are now living in fear because things fell apart and the centre could no longer hold. However, with the intervention the affected communities are optimistic that there will soon be a new twist to finding a permanent solution to the impasse.
At a peace and security meeting at Bekwarra Council Secretariat, Abuochiche with delegations from both states, Yala Council Boss, Mrs Cecilia Ogah assured the people of Ijiegu and Tivs community of the determination of government towards resolving the matter with enhanced security presence in the area to ensure cohabitation and social integration.
According to the HOLGA, “The government of Senator Prince Bassey Otu is now more determined to make the difference in nipping in the bud of this avoidable crisis between neighbors who should be living as brothers and sisters.
My thinking is that Governor Otu would feel fulfilled over the matter, if the communities themselves buy into the current administration’s intervention in sincerity and will to embrace peace.
I have come to the realisation that the unending attacks and counter attacks will not yield the desired peace. It is therefore high time both sides, in an atmosphere of give and take, embraced themselves and let bygone be bygone”.
The Yala council boss further challenged all in position to resolve the lingering crisis not to be discouraged by the repeated hostilities, adding that relentless interventions were necessary to keep hope alive for a workable solution to the crisis”.
Mrs Ogah urged the warring communities to find the courage and integrity to resolve their lingering landlord-tenant dispute in line with a communique resolving that all should respect the existing landlord-tenant agreement for peace and mutual coexistence.
Dignitaries at the meeting include Rtd. Gen. Obono Ubi, State Security Adviser, Dr Chris Ojikpong, Head of Personal Staff to the Deputy Governor, Austin Wonor, Senior Special Adviser, Security, Mrs Gloria Achadu, representative of DG, Conflict Resolution, Commanding Officer 341 Artillery, Police Area Commander, Ogoja, DSO of Yala, Mr Jerry Odu, Heads of NSCDC, Yala, Paramount Ruler of Yala represented by Clan Head of Okuku, HRH, Ogamode Odaji Ipoule.
Delegations from Benue State include HOLGA Konshisha LGA, representative of CM Security Secretary of Konshisha, Divisional Police Officer of Konshisha, District Head Tse Agbaragba amongst others.
It would be recalled that the Ijiegu-Yache people accommodated the Tiv settlers in their land for decades under a form of land tenement agreement. The current crisis was triggered by a breach in the tenement contract when the Tiv settlers failed to keep to their terms of the bargain. Crisis started when the Ijiegu people embarked on a mission to ask for outstanding land royalty from the Tiv settlers leading to an attack by the Tivs. This led to a reprisal attack which degenerated into a full blown crisis with all its attendant consequences.
With the resolution urging all parties including the military to return back to their base, the HOLGA ,Mrs Cecilia Ogah is therefore using this opportunity to appreciate all critical stakeholders who in one way or the other has contributed the peaceful resolution of the crisis.