By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has called on former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and the incumbent governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to immediately end their public exchanges over allegations concerning inherited debts, unpaid gratuities and the state’s financial records.

In a press statement issued to newsmen in Awka on Friday, September 20, 2026, and endorsed by CLO Anambra State Chairman, Comrade Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme, and Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah, the organisation described the ongoing exchange as an unhealthy press war and appealed for the immediate reconciliation of the two former governors.

The CLO said while accountability remained a cardinal principle of democracy, the manner in which the issues were being debated through public accusations and counter-accusations did not serve the interests of Anambra State or the wider Igbo nation.

It said the dispute was increasingly becoming a source of embarrassment to Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora.

“This feud is becoming a source of embarrassment to Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora,” the organisation stated, recounting how a concerned friend from outside the South-East had asked, “What is happening in Anambra? Are Igbos now problems unto themselves?”

The organisation said It was concerned that the public disagreement had emerged at a time when Ndigbo needed unity, strategic cohesion and a common front.

The CLO therefore appealed to Obi and Soludo to immediately cease further public accusations and counter-accusations and encourage their supporters to also refrain from discussions and allegations over the matter.

It said both men had served Anambra and continued to make contributions to the development of the state, adding that they would be better remembered if they chose dialogue over discord.

The organisation also called on religious leaders, traditional rulers and elder statesmen to intervene before the disagreement caused what it described as irreparable damage.

It specifically appealed to the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke; the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Igwe Iweka; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simeon Okeke, to deploy their influence in brokering peace.

“These are men whose voices command respect across Igbo land and Nigeria. We urge them to intervene quickly to restore peace, normalcy, reconciliation and tranquility,” the CLO stated.

The group expressed concern that the disagreement could undermine wider efforts towards unity among the Igbo, recalling the contributions of late Igbo leaders including Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Dr Pius Ezeife and Chief Mbazulike Amaechi.

It also quoted Azikiwe as saying: “We must make friends, not enemies, think best, not the worst of others.”

The CLO urged stakeholders to prioritise reconciliation, saying Anambra State and the broader Igbo project were bigger than individual political interests.

“Anambra is bigger than any individual. The Igbo project is bigger than any political ambition,” it stated.

The organisation concluded with a further appeal for reason, forgiveness and unity, urging the two leaders and their supporters to reconcile “in order to make our good better and our better best.”