Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has restated his position on the transfer of Boko Haram detainees to Ekwulobia Prisons, reassuring that he is on top of the situation and that he was speaking with the relevant authorities to achieve a peaceful resolution of the issue.

The Governor in a statement issued yesterday in Awka by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, James Eze, washed his hands off comments on the issue attributed to him in yesterday’s lead stories of two Lagos-based newspapers, Vanguard and Daily Independent.

“We wish to inform the general public that Governor Obiano NEVER made any comments to these publications. Since the eruption of this controversy, Governor Obiano’s position has been consistent. This is fully reflected in the two press statements issued on Sunday, June 28, 2015 and Wednesday July 1, 2015. In both statements, his message was simple – he re-assured Ndi Anambra that he was on top of the situation and that he was speaking with the relevant authorities to achieve a peaceful resolution of the issue. Governor Obiano’s commitment to this extremely sensitive issue remains the same,” Eze said.

The statement criticised those playing “bitter politics” with the issue. It said: “For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Willie Obiano is aware of the strong feelings provoked by Boko Haram among Ndi Anambra and the people of the South East. Therefore, he shall never use this subject of pain and anguish to play politics. Those who are not held back by any moral considerations in their pursuit of power, cheap popularity and vendetta are free to play with the agony of the people for their narrow interests. But for Obiano, certain things are bigger than politics. He therefore appeals to Ndi Anambra to go about their normal businesses while he continues to engage the relevant authorities on the matter.”

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.

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