By Victor Lewis
As Nigeria joins the rest of the christian world to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind, the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, has sued for peaceful coexistence, urging Nigerians to remember the families of the late 17 Nigerian Armies gruesomely murdered in the wake of the Okuama crisis and other affected civilian victims for God’s provision during this moment of sober reflection.
Senator Dafinone who stated this in his Easter Message to his constituents and Nigerians in general, noted that “peace is a priceless gift”, adding that all actors and those provoked in the aftermath of the Okuama crisis, should exercise restraints to avoid further escalation of tension in the area.
The national lawmaker however urged the government to urgently constitute an independent panel of investigation to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the violence with a view to bringing the culprits to justice.
“As we commemorate the Easter season, marked by the spirit of hope, renewal, and reconciliation, I extend my heartfelt prayers and condolences to the victims of the tragic events in Okuama. This senseless violence has left us all deeply saddened and calls for urgent reflection and action as a nation.
“The loss of precious lives in the Okuama crisis is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the need for all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
“As we mourn the victims and stand in solidarity with their families, I urge restraint from all parties involved, particularly the military authorities, to prevent further escalation of violence and bloodshed, and furthermore, to allow an independent probe to unearth the truth surrounding the despicable act and bring the perpetrators to book.
“This Easter, let us use this period of solemn reflection to come together as a nation and engage in introspection on the events leading to this tragic and avoidable loss of lives. It is imperative that we examine our collective conscience and rededicate ourselves to the principles of justice, equity, and peaceful coexistence.
“The Urhobo people are very peaceful, hospitable and enterprising. They have contributed greatly over the years to the development of this country in all spheres of national development. Therefore, the incident of Okuama does not in any way define our people, hence efforts should be made by the Nigerian state and its institutions not to punish innocent Urhobos on account of the actions of a few criminals whose true identity are yet unknown.
“As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of new life, I extend warm Easter greetings to the Urhobo Nation, the residents of Delta Central Senatorial District, and indeed, all Nigerians.
“May this Easter season brings healing, reconciliation, and renewed hope to our hearts and communities. As a people, let us fervently pray that the incident of Okuama never happens again and that peace and harmony prevail in our beloved nation.”
COMMENTS