Abia 2015: Charter of equity makes Ukwa-Ngwa’s case – Nkire Contenders for the 2015 governorship election in Abia State refer to the Abia Charter of Equity as their guiding document. What is so important about the charter that it is becoming central to the contest? Abia State pioneer Attorney-General, Theo Nkire, x-rays the charter and its support for the Ukwa-Ngwa cause… What does Ukwa-Ngwa Professionals which you lead represent? The organisation is an association of professionals of Ukwa-Ngwa origin who are committed to the development of Abia State, and who share in the conviction that Aba, the famous industrial and commercial hub, holds great potentials to support the development of Abia State What are the major objectives of Ukwa-Ngwa Professionals? The association seeks to achieve the development of the full potentials of Abia State with Aba as a pivot. It also seeks the election of an Abia State Governor of Ukwa-Ukwa extraction who will bring about rapid economic and social development of Abia State with Aba as the economic hub. To achieve our goals we seek a partnership with the Government of Abia State and leaders of Abia across our State. Why is Ukwa-Ngwa Professionals at the forefront of the agitation for an Ukwa-Ngwa governor? Since Independence, no person of Ukwa-Ngwa descent has had the opportunity to be Premier of a Region or Governor of our State in Nigeria, not Eastern Region, Imo State or since creation of Abia State. Abia was created from two Senatorial Zones of old Imo State, Aba Senatorial Zone and Umuahia Zone which included Afikpo and Ohaozara (now in Ebonyi State).The Ukwa-Ngwa area is currently made up of nine of the 17 Local Governments in the State. It is home to more than 60 per cent of the State population, and it is yet to produce a Governor. It is only fair, just and equitable that this happens. Our founding fathers agreed and laid a foundation for fairness and equity in the rotation principle they enshrined in the Abia Charter of Equity. This was the basis for the formation of the State. Those who work to destroy this foundation are against the peace in Abia State and this is why we commend His Excellency Dr. Theodore Orji for his consistency in affirming this principle of equity and fairness. Is it constitutional to zone political office to a particular area? I have said before and I will say it again that intrinsic in the federal character provision of the Constitution is the principle of zoning and rotation. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria established the quota system, and even went further to establish a Federal Character Commission to work to ensure equity in the employment and enhancement of public officers, it lays a foundation for each people to co-ordinate their affairs and manage their government in a way to ensure equitable and fair representation. Inherent in this principle is that areas in a State can and have often agreed and zoned offices using the mechanism of political parties because we are in a multi-party democracy What is the Abia Charter of Equity that people keep mentioning in this case? The Abia Charter of Equity is a child of circumstance. After the two Senatorial Districts of Aba and Umuahia of old Imo State decided to seek a State of their own, some disagreement arose between the two brothers that led to the breakaway of a large majority of the Aba people to form a Movement of their own – the Aba State Movement then led by Dr. George Wigwe. The Abia Charter of Equity was a fence mending measure adopted by the Movement to reassure what remained of the Aba group within its fold that the events that led to the breakup would never arise again. Indeed, the Abia Charter was extracted from the Umuahia (Bende) group led by Dr. M. I. Okpara by what remained of the Aba (Ukwa-Ngwa) group. After the breakup, Chief B. A. Wachuku was made Vice Chairman to Dr. Okpara and Dr. Moses Agbara became Secretary. These were measures to re-assure Ukwa-Ngwa of their place in the proposed State. The Charter enshrined the principle of equity in distribution of political office and leadership and clearly stated that the position of Governor will rotate between the Aba and Bende zones of the State. Unfortunately this agreement was more honoured in breach than the observance until Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji decided that what is fair is fair and that the peace and development of Abia State required that equity and fairness be respected. He is a man who saw it fit to honour the agreement others chose to break with impunity. Does the charter support the agitation of Ukwa-Ngwa for a governor? Of course, it does. The bedrock of the Charter is equity, justice and fairness. Some argue that the Charter pre-dates Ukwa-Ngwa agitation and therefore cannot support its case What an idea! The Ukwa-Ngwa agitation for fairness and recognition started in colonial times. It came to the fore at the Willink’s Commission 1943 when aggrieved by the injustices of the time our people for the first time in our history were compelled to call for the creation of an Aba State. So how could the Abia Charter, which came into being almost 40 years later, in 1980, predate our agitation? Does the Abia Charter support our case? Of course, it does. Indeed, in the context of Abia State, the Charter does not only support our case; it is the foundation of our cause. The Charter is our reference point. Whenever the leaders neglect to do what is just and equitable, we remind them of the Charter. The Charter is about equity, it is about fairness. Our case rests on the fairness of rotating power, which the Charter advocates, now (as the PDP has directed) among our three Senatorial Zones of Abia North (1999-2007), Abia Central (2007-2015) and Abia South from 2015. In Abia State, nobody who supports equity, fairness and justice would support that the governor should come from any zone other than Abia South. Why is it important that the Abia State governor in 2015 is from Ukwa-Ngwa? It is important because it is fair. It is important because it is just. It is important because it is equitable. It will give the Ukwa-Ngwa a true sense of belonging. That will be justice. That will be equity; it would be in line with the Abia Charter of Equity. It would fulfill the dreams of the founding fathers of Abia State, who authored the Charter, to clear any confusion that could arise from managing political offices in the State. They were wise; we cannot throw out their wisdom. We should learn from it. What is your reaction to the fears of some that an Ukwa-Ngwa governor would marginalise other parts of the State? That fear is laughable. Ukwa-Ngwa people are traditionally a peace loving and hospitable people. We extend our goodwill to all; with malice towards none. What powers do we have to marginalise anyone? He who wants equity must do equity. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Ukwa-Ngwa people want equity and they have come with clean hands; with malice towards none
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 21:15:43 +0000
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