ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has said there was no going back in his promise to cede power to Ukwa/Ngwa people of the state, but urged them to help him realise the project.
According to Governor Orji, ceding power to Ukwa/Ngwa people was the only way to ensure justice and fairness and eliminate marginalisation and ethnic cleavages, so everybody could have a sense of belonging.
The governor spoke, yesterday, in Umuahia, when Ukwa/Ngwa professionals visited him to commend his development efforts in the state and to appreciate his decision to cede power to the area.
Stressing the need to ensure that the project succeeded, Orji called on the Ukwa/Ngwa people to help realise the project, saying that the first attack he received when he announced the plan to cede power to them was from an Ukwa/Ngwa person.
“I want you to support this project. I have said it, I am not going back. But you people have to support me. I made a promise that it should be Ukwa/Ngwa. You have to work hard and present somebody that is acceptable and the party will support him and he will be voted for.
“I remember, when I said this, the first attack I had was from an Ukwa/Ngwa person, who said let the best person emerge, making me to look stupid, but I know that I am not stupid. If there is fairness and equity, there will be no rancour. But if there is no equity and fairness, anarchy may set in.
“So what I said and we are pursuing will bring peace to Abia. I know that some people will be fighting to thwart this, but God will fight for us. I believe that it is the right and proper thing to do,” Orji said.
Referring to the decision of the founding fathers of the state in fashioning Abia Charter of Equity, the governor said though it was not law, it was made to bring justice and equity to all the peoples of the state.
“I prayed God to guide me and I decided that for fairness and equity, it will be good for an Ukwa/Ngwa person to be the next governor.
You did not lobby me; I did not discuss with any person, only God. This is what I feel God said I should say and do. I think that it is the fairest thing to do.
“When I did it I discovered that it is the in-thing. If you go to Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, it is the same. Abia State has come of age, it is now age of reasoning, not intimidation,” Orji said.
In their remark, the group through their leader, Chief Sunny Aku commended the governor for the decision and assured him of the support of Ukwa/Ngwa professionals.
BY ANAYO OKOLI
