Agitation for additional state for the deprived south-east geo-political zone came to a head at the weekend when Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, revealed that the region will push for additional state at the ongoing National Conference to bring her at par with other geo-political zones of the country.
Governor Orji, who is the Chairman, South-East Governors Forum disclosed this during an interactive session with senior Journalists of Igbo extraction who were in Umuahia for inspection of his administration’s legacy projects.
Governor Orji said: “All the states in the region has made their submissions including the apex pan Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo.
“All the views submitted are geared towards protecting the overall interest of our people. As you know, we have a secretiariate at Abuja were you(Igbo people) can go and present your views either orally or written.
“Issues like state creation, devolution of power, resource control are topmost in the agenda of our people. The leader of the delegation, Gen Ike Nwachuku(Rtd) has been properly briefed and is upbeat.
“As the Chairman of the south-east governors forum, when issues arise, I quickly call for a meeting of my colleagues were we review and appraise the situation and direct the delegates on the collective resolve of our people haven consulted widely with all stakeholders.”
Ohaneze is not just the “apex pan Igbo socio-cultural group,” it is also the political spearhead for Nd’Igbo, and Chief Gary Igariwey is its current leader. Anyone/group positing otherwise, is making that pronouncement on his/its own behalf.
Indeed, Ohaneze Nd’Igbo, after due consultation with the totality of Nd’Igbo, shaped the agenda that the current Igbo delegates to the national confab are using as their working document.
Any organization –private or governmental– claiming otherwise, should tell where and when it met with Nd’Igbo to set up its agenda, leadership structure, to warrant any and all its claims.
Ohaneze Nd’Igbo, will, no doubt, continue to fine tune its positions as warranted; and as the national confab lasts.