Abia Government, Northern Consensus Movement Resolves Disagreement Over Cattle Market

Abia state governor, Alex Otti has met with leadership of the Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) and resolved the lingering disagreement over the Umuchieze Cattle Market issue at Lokpanta, Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor revealed that it has been agreed that the market becomes a non-residential but daily market in order to ensure security in and around the market and the state in general.

In his X handle (former Twitter) @alexottiofr, the governor recalled that NCM had earlier issued a quit notice to Igbo residents in the North in reaction to the Umuchieze Cattle Market issue at Lokpanta, Umunneochi L.G.A.

However, he said with the latest resolution with the group, they had in reciprocation, withdrawn the quit notice.

He noted that the agreement over the market “is in the best interest of the security and welfare of the traders and residents of the market, as well as the entire state.”

According Governor Otti, “Today, I had a fruitful meeting with the leadership of the Northern Consensus Movement (NCM), an amalgamation of community-based socio-cultural and economically inclined northern organisations. The group had earlier issued a quit notice to Igbo residents in the North in reaction to the Umuchieze Cattle Market issue at Lokpanta, Umunneochi L.G.A.

” I am happy to announce that the NCM has withdrawn the ultimatum and expressed their understanding and support for the Abia State government’s decision to make the cattle market a daily and non-residential one.

“This decision is in the best interest of the security and welfare of the traders and residents of the market, as well as the entire state.

“The President of the group, Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, noted that the government’s decision was initially misconstrued only to find out later that it was in the overall interest and security of all the stakeholders involved.

“I want to assure all northerners and other Nigerians of different ethnic groups living in Abia State that they are welcome and safe here. We are one and we will continue to live in peace and harmony with one another.

” I also want to thank the NCM for their maturity and patriotism in resolving this matter amicably. I appreciate their gesture of goodwill and cooperation.”