IGBOZURUOKE MEDIA

Reasons why the oil-rich L.G.A should neither be part of Anim nor Anioma State

 My position on the proposed inclusion of Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A to either Anim or Anioma State

For the past weeks I have been inundated with calls and messages as a thought leader regarding my position and opinion on the proposed inclusion of Ohaji/Egbema L.g.a to either Anim State or Anioma State the new South Eastern State intended to be created and expressed here is my stance and unwavering position on the matter.

Ohaji/Egbema l.g.a based on recent and historical facts and events can easily be described as an l.g.a under siege by “cartographers of convenience” In Nigeria’s recurring drama of state creation. Few local-governments find themselves as persistently targeted as Ohaji/Egbema L.g.a. Nestled in the southwestern flank of Imo State and bordered by Rivers State to the south; this local government area has become a coveted and precious prize in the chess game of political boundary drawing. As agitations intensify for both the proposed Anim State (carved from parts of Imo and Anambra) and Anioma State (to be created from Delta State), Ohaji/Egbema has been variously mentioned, schemed over, and in some proposals, outright listed as a target local government.

The argument of this article is simple and unequivocal: Ohaji/Egbema should be excluded from any of the proposed new state. The reasons are rooted in history, culture, democratic principle, economic justice, and plain common sense.

The validity of the fact that any legitimate conversation about state creation must begin with the will of the people most directly affected can never be over emphasized. On this point, the communities of Ohaji/Egbema l.g.a have been remarkably consistent and vocal on thier position to be included in any of the proposed new state and that should not be ignored.

At several meetings of elders of Ohaji/Egbema l.g.a comprising of the Ogbako Ohaji Forum and the Ogbako Egbema Forum, Ohaji youths under the auspices of National Congress of Ohaji youths (NACOY) led by Comrd: Nicolas T. Nwosu, leaders of thought, town union presidents, youth leaders, and other stakeholders, factors such as history, previous constituency delineations, cultural links, dialect, religious links, economic and local trade links, educational and geopolitical ties proved a long-standing affinity with the Owerri zone part of Imo State than to any other zone or state. This affinity is not theoretical. It is lived, practised, and fiercely defended.

Community groups such as Ogbako Ohaji which is the Apex socio-cultural group in Ohaji clan have issued formal declarations rejecting any attempt to include Ohaji/Egbema l.g.a in any new state formation whether it be Orlu State, Anim State, or any other arrangement that does not keep them within Imo State under the Owerri capital.

Their position could not be clearer; they have stated emphatically, categorically and repeatedly that they have no desire to be part of a state where Orlu serves as the capital.

In a working democracy, this kind of clear, organised, multi-stakeholder rejection ought to be sufficient enough to put to an end any proposed or planned inclusion of the l.g.a to any new state to be created.

Any attempt to alter that reality without the consent of the people would not only be unjust but potentially destabilising. A state created against the expressed will of its own people is not a state built for development rather it is a state built for conflict and that must be averted.

The people of Ohaji/Egbema are not ambiguous about who they are. Their historical, cultural, and political identity is deeply rooted in Imo State, and their ties with Owerri zone span generations.

Historically, Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta were pillars of the old Owerri Division from the colonial era, According to a research conducted by Mr. Chima Nnadi-Oforgu, it was stated that “Before senatorial zones, before zoning bargains, before military shortcuts, oil calculations and administrative gymnastics, territorial identity in Eastern Nigeria followed a clear and logical order. That order was colonial administration with all its known and understandable imperfections. Under that system, Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta sat firmly within the Owerri administrative universe known as the Owerri Division, alongside territories that extended as far as Port Harcourt.

Within this Owerri centred provincial framework, Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta formed the southern riverine belt of the old Owerri Division. They linked the inland Owerri heartland to the lower Niger and coastal trade corridors.

The present atattachment of Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta to Orlu did not arise from language, culture, migration, colonial governance or social memory. It emerged from military era restructuring driven by numbers and oil.

By  Comrd. Ikenna Nwali