Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has said that the proposed creation of Orlu State out of the present Imo State by the National Assembly was unacceptable.
The National President of factional Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said this while addressing newsmen in Enugu.
He urged the National Assembly to jettison any plan to create Orlu State.
It could be recalled that the bill, sponsored by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga, member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has already passed first reading.
But Nnabuike, who described it as an invitation to chaos in the South-East, said it negates the spirit of equity and justice.
He said although the South-East was desirous of an additional state to be at par with other regions, the proponents of Orlu State were championing a selfish and divisive agenda, which would only worsen the cries of marginalisation in the zone.
He said that the 2014 Nationality Confab report, which was endorsed by Nigerians from across the country remained a guide towards the total reform of Nigeria, including state creation.
According to him: “In that report, there was a clear mention of Etiti State, which has a representation of every part of the South-East. There is nothing like Orlu State in the Confab report.
“The proposed Etiti State encompasses parts of all the 5 existing states of the South-East.
“They include: Orumba South, Orumba North (Anambra); Adada (Enugu); Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ivo (Ebonyi), Ehime Mbano, Okigwe, Onuimo (Imo), as well as Umunneochi and Isuikwuato (Abia).
“It is, therefore, unthinkable for anyone to wake up one day and plot to thwart the general interest of the South-East in pursuit of a selfish agenda.”
Okwu cautioned that the rejection the said Orlu State was a clear indication that it was self-serving, lacks inclusivity, and proper consultation.
“We urge the National Assembly not to drag itself into such a legislation that is capable of setting the South-East on fire.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide equally calls on the sponsor of the bill to withdraw it from further legislative action as it is not only provocative but incendiary.
