Gov Obi wades into Catholic, traditionalists rift

Anambra has waded into
the rift between the Catholic
Church and some traditionalists
in Awka.
No fewer than 30 persons
were injured on July
24 when the two groups
clashed over burial rituals.
The governor had called
for restraint and assured
that government would
reconcile the two groups.
Mr. Obi, during a meeting
with people of the
community and some
members of the State
Security Council at Umudioka,
Awka, on Saturday,
cautioned against any
form of violence.
He said the government
would take all necessary
steps to ensure peaceful
resolution of the crisis.
He assured that he would
discuss with the Catholic
Church and other principal
actors in the issue.
Obi assured that his
administration would
continue to upgrade infrastructure
to give the
town a befitting capital
territory status.
He enjoined youths to
tread with caution and
avoid acts capable of engendering
violence as
government was determined
to find lasting solution
to the problem.
The spokesman for Umudioka,
Michael Nwobu
commended the governor
for his intervention, saying
it was a pointer that
the governor was a man
of peace.
The special adviser to the
president on Inter-Party
Matters and an indigene
of Awka, Ben Obi, said
Awka as the seat of government
should remain
peaceful and stable.
He said the people were
proud of the achievements
of the governor
and highlighted the benefits
of peaceful