Stakeholders from Isuikwuato district of Abia state comprising Umunneochi and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas have insisted that the next Governor of the state come 2023 should come from the district.
This position was contained in a communique issued by the stakeholders after a strategic meeting weekend at the palace of the paramount Traditional ruler of Ahaba Imenyi HRM Eze Ezo Ukandu.
The stakeholders alleged that Isuikwuato district had been grossly marginalised since the creation of Abia State as nobody from the district has occupied any sensitive position in government either by elective or by appointment.
The five -point communique signed by Eze Ukandu; former Military Administrator of Cross River State, Navy Captain Chris Osondu (rtd) ; Chief Uzo Egbo; Ichie Eugine Ibeh; and HRH Eze Silas Chukwu, accused Old Bende people of dominating the political space of the zone.
Other stakeholders present at the meeting were : the immediate past state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Emma Nwaka ; Chief Obinna Ekekwe; Professor Greg Ibe; AIG Donald Iroham (rtd) ; and Chief Ralph Ukoro.
Present also were Chief Dave Agwalla, Eze Ibeaja; HRH Eze A. E Chimezie and Chinedu Igboho.
According to the communique, Isuikwuato is not part of Old Bende contrary to misinformation in some quarters, but rather a major component of Abia State.
The statement read in part : ” In the political architecture of Abia State, Isuikwuato is the ‘I’ of the acronym Abia. It comprises the present Isuikwuato LGA and Umunneochi LGA.
” The dominance of Old Bende people over the district is ossifying and relegating our people to inconsequential entity to the Abia project.
” We are not Old Bende. It is error of judgement to connote lump, to regard, to assume and subscribe the people of Isuikwuato district as Old Bende.
” It is strange and remote to be so addressed. Not even in the time of colonial masters. This is historical and administrative wrong foisted on us by the new slave masters. We cease to accept that
” We want to engender political distillation needed to acknowledge our common ancestral political heritage. We were of the Okigwe Division. ”
It further read :”Our people are being highly marginalised in the Abia project. The Abia project stands on four legs. Our district must be respected and honoured in the political architecture of Abia State.
“Since creation of Abia State, no substantive office is zoned to Isuikwuato district in line with the Abia Charter of Equity. In chapter 6 pg 134-135, entitled the Basis of Administration and the Rotation Principle : emphasised that the following offices and political posts shall be fairly distributed and not to be held at one and the same time by persons of the same senatorial zone :
” Governor and Deputy Governor; Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly ; Governor and Secretary to the State Government; Chief Judge and the Attorney General of the state ; Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government .
” All the above named offices not even one has come to the Isuikwuato district since the return of democracy in 1999.
” Therefore, the Abia State Governorship seat in 2023 should be ceded to Isuikwuato by all political parties in the spirit of Abia Charter of Equity.
” We have supported Afikpo zone to mount the rostrum of power. We worked wholesomely and tirelessly for Bende to take their slots. We even disabled our sons for Aba Division to assume power in the spirit of good conscience. What is good for the geese is also good for the gander.”
The stakeholders who said that Isuikwuato people were instrumental to the creation of Abia State insisted that Isuikwuat should be allowed to produce the next Governor when power is shifted to Abia North in 2023.
Asked if it were not too early to begin the agitation for 2023 now , they said answered in the negative, saying they only wanted to put the state on notice.
“There wouldn’t have been Abia if the ‘I’ for Isuikwuato is not there. Our people are crying asking why we were dragged into Abia in the first place if we are going to be so marginalised “.
AUTHORITY NEWSPAPER
