The Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, says that the South East has lost so much for having the least number of states in Nigeria.
Hon Ogah who stated this over the weekend, in town hall meetings with his constituents at Mbalano Isuikwuato and Nkwoagu Umunneochi respectively, said the creation of a parity state for South East would address a lot of injustice against the zone, and quicken development in the zone.
While observing that Nigeria is running a government of ‘sharing formula’, the LP Lawmaker vowed to lobby all necessary Stakeholders and Authorities including his colleagues to ensure the realization of the creation of Etiti State.
”The truth is that the South East has lost so much for having the least number of states in Nigeria. As a lawmaker, I came to Abuja and I found out that Nigeria is running a government of ‘sharing formula,” Hon Ogah noted.
He noted with delight that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is genuinely committed to creating an additional state for the South East geopolitical zone to bring the zone at par with other zones in the country.
“The good news is that Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sincerely wants to create an additional state for the South East so we can be at par with other zones. When he said he would create the South East Development Commission, we thought it was a joke but today, we have seen it’s a reality.
”So, he has again shown commitment to balance the inequality in a number of states. And we have sponsored the Bill for the creation of Etiti State which is the only Bill that has passed the second reading, and it is generally accepted by my colleagues.
”We know our brothers in Delta State are pushing for Anioma State but what we are saying is that Etiti State should be the first option because it will balance the inequality and injustice against the South East,” he stated.
Rep. Ogah who sponsored the motion for Etiti State creation which has already passed a second reading at the House of Representatives, pointed out that the proposal enjoys wider acceptance and support of both lawmakers and the masses.
The National Assembly member who commended President Tinubu for his bold step towards addressing Igbo marginalisation , urged his constituents to key into the Etiti State movement, which he traced to late Senator Uche Chukwumerije and other illustrious sons of the area.
From the way it is drafted, 11 LGAs were picked from the current five states with each of them donating two LGAs except Enugu that has three. In Abia, we have Isuikwuato and Umunneochi; Anambra has Orumba North and Orumba South LGAs; Imo has Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs; Ebonyi has Ivo and Ohozara; while Enugu has Aninri, Awgu and Oji River LGAs “
The Rep member further noted with concern that the affected Councils “are the most neglected” in their current states, arguing that creating a new state for them will be a way to give the people a sense of belonging.
”If you look at all these LGAs, they are the most neglected in their current states. Where do Umunneochi and Isuikwuato belong in Abia? They are not even included in the design for electricity that’s why we are having light issues. If you go to Umunze you wonder whether they’re in Anambra or Imo. If you go to Okigwe, it’s the most confused LGA in the South East. The story is the same in Ivo and Awgu. So, these people need to be remembered”.
He announced that public hearing would soon be held on the Bill, and expressed confidence that the Bill would scale through third reading and be passed into law.
The lawmaker further made it clear that part of the reasons Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is agitating for the restoration of Biafra is because of the entrenched marginalization by the Nigeria State against the Igbo nation, arguing that the creation of parity state will help reduce tension in the South East.
In their speeches, Prominent indigenes and Representatives of various communities and groups expressed strong support for the proposed Etiti State, which according to them, is very viable and heavily endowed with human and mineral resources including crude oil for self sustenance.
The Bishop of Okigwe Methodist Diocese, Bishop Livinus Bereonwu Onugha, said for the sake of equity, Etiti State should be the sixth state for the South East before any other proposal could be considered.
In his remark, the Chairman on the occasion and the immediate-past Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Kingsley Dozie, appealed to other regions to support the move to give South East a parity state as already recommended in both the 2005 and 2014 Constitutional Conferences.
Baring his mind, Bishop Chiemeka Okpara thanked Hon. Ogah for taking the lead in sponsoring the Bill for the creation of Etiti State which has passed second reading at the National Assembly and called for support to actualize this.
In their contributions at Nkwoagu Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Abia State, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije; former Heavy Weight Champion, Osita Offor (a k.a the Ultimate Commander); oil don, Chris Igwe; former Council boss, Chief Steve Egbo; traditional rulers, women leaders, youth leaders and stakeholders in Umunneochi, all voiced their unwavering support for the state creation movement.
Other speakers at Mbalano Isuikwuato LGA, including Engr. Chief Charles Omesie Ojukwu, Chief Chris Ajah, Navy Capt. Chris Osondu Rtd., Chief Boniface Ikwuagwu, Surveyor Ibeaja, Hon. Ralph Ukoro, High Chief Ray Nkemdirim MFR, Chief Henry Agbaeze, President-General of Isuikwuato Development Union (IDU) National, Mr. Chidiebere Uguru , among others lauded the efforts of Hon Ogah in ensuring that equity reigns in the country.
