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The Chairman of Ado Local Government, Engr. Sunny Oche, has undertaken a decisive peace mission across three key communities in one day, reinforcing his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on violence and commitment to lasting unity.
The Chairman visited Apa, Ijigban, and Ezza communities in a single swoop following recent hostilities between Ezza and Apa communities, which had threatened the fragile peace earlier secured through intensive stakeholder dialogues. Deeply saddened by the disturbances along the Apa-Ugbozu axis, Engr. Oche moved swiftly to de-escalate tensions and reassert the primacy of peace.
Addressing stakeholders, Engr. Oche delivered a firm message: peace is non-negotiable. He reaffirmed the rights of all residents to coexist freely, emphasising the importance of respecting boundaries and engaging in dialogue to prevent conflict. The Chairman placed clear responsibility on traditional rulers and institutions, urging them to rise to their roles as custodians of order. He warned that any breakdown of law and order would be viewed as a failure of leadership and would no longer be tolerated.
Engr. Oche described the resurgence of hostilities as a grave betrayal of trust and a dangerous reversal of hard-earned gains. He cautioned against actions capable of dragging communities back into cycles of violence and assured that the government would not condone any attempt to derail the peace process.
The Chairman was accompanied by key government functionaries, including the Leader of the Ado Legislative House, Hon. Agbo Adadu; the Secretary to the Council, Hon. Felix Achadu; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Justice Ogaba; the Security Adviser, Hon. Attah Echo; the Councillor representing Apa Ward, Hon. Queen Oganya Attah; the Principal Staff Officer, Hon. Innocent Agasi; the Special Adviser on Humanitarian Services, Hon. Aunty Ejeh; the Chief Protocol Officer; House of Assembly hopefuls Hon. Moses Onumah and Hon. Pastor Aboh Okibe; and the Ado APC Youth Leader, Hon. Kelvin Ojor Ogbu, among others.
Traditional rulers, youth leaders, and community members turned out in large numbers to receive the Chairman and his entourage. Their warm reception reflected renewed trust and a deep sense of relief as fears were calmed and hope rekindled.
Engr. Oche called on all aggrieved parties to channel their grievances through lawful mechanisms, warning that taking the law into one’s hands would attract strict consequences. He reiterated that ignorance of the law is no excuse and assured fair and firm justice irrespective of status or influence.
The visits served as both a fact-finding mission and a confidence-building initiative, reinvigorating confidence in the peace process and reaffirming the shared desire for stability, development, and coexistence in Ado Local Government.
