– Vows To Remain In Imo Or Choose Where To Belong
Sequel to the clamour for the creation of more states in the Southeast geopolitical zone, Ogbako Ohaji, the apex umbrella socio-cultural organization of the Ohaji Nation has emphatically said that they will under no circumstance accept inclusion in the proposed Orlu State.
The Chairman, Ogbako Ohaji State Creation Committee, Chief Johnbosco Ben, a former member of the Imo State House of Assembly, while addressing newsmen in Owerri, the state capital Tuesday, said, “we are fully in support of the creation of at least an additional state in the Southeast because it will correct the atrocious imbalance among the six geopolitical zone .
However, Ogbako Ohaji rejects in its entirety any move to include us in the proposed Orlu State or any other geopolitical contraption so-called”.
According to Chief Ben, the Ohaji Nation prefers to remain in Imo state not only because of proximity but also because of their age-long traditional and cultural affinity which does not exist between them and Orlu zone. He added that alternatively, they should be given the option of choosing where to belong.
He expressed dismay that Ohaji with a population of over 400,000, comprising 25 recognized autonomous communities and 7 electoral wards, much bigger than four local government areas in some parts of Imo State was regrettably merged with Egbema.
Besides, “it is pertinent to emphasize that the inclusion of Ohaji district in Orlu senatorial zone abini-tio was an aberration as it was an inconvenient political marriage of strange bedfellows that was merely driven by greed, selfishness, annexation, conquest, bribery of a few leaders who acquiesced to this aberration but thank God, the time has come for its correction.
It is imperative to recall that a review of the political and historical development of Ohaji people is replete with facts and evidence showing that they had always wished to be in Imo State and this is provable from the following instances”.
The Chairman, Ogbako Ohaji State creation committee, also recalled that following presentations made by some illustrious sons of Ohaji/Egbema to the Justice Irekefe State Creation Commission in 1975, prior to the creation of Imo state in 1976, Ohaji was allowed to stay in Imo State as against Rivers State.
He also stated that the Justice Mamman 1976 Boundary Adjustment Commission granted the demand made by the leaders of Ohaji/Egbema to remain in Imo State and subsequently placed Ohaji/Egbema in the defunct old Owerri Province where, according to him, they rightly belong.
He further said, “furthermore, in a memorandum dated May 12th 2008. It was expressly stated that at several meetings of the elders leader of Thoughts, Town Union Presidents, Youth Leaders and other stakeholders of Ohaji/Egbema local government area, factors such as history, previous constituency delineations, cultural links, dialect, religious links educational and geopolitical links obviously proved to all and sundry a long-standing affinity from time immemorial with the Owerri zone. Consequent upon these geographical, ecclesiastical, political, educational, social, security accessibility ties, Ohaji and Egbema rejected belonging to any State other than Imo State with Owerri as Capital.
In our last letter to your office dated 11th June 2024, this body reiterated that we have no culture and social affinity with Orlu people. That political alliance and relationship should be by choice and agreement and not by compulsion and to that extent we say emphatically No to our inclusion in the new Orlu state but yes to Imo State where we rightfully belong and wish to remain due to proximity, religious and boundary ties.
Conclusively , we, like our forefathers and late distinguished leaders, would not shift ground that Ohaji district will not be part of the proposed Orlu State. As much as we support that the envisaged state in question succeeds, Ohaji wants and insists we remain in Imo State or any state that does not have Orlu as Capital.
It is our prayer that our letter would be given utmost attention as it is our fundamental right to determine where we should belong”.
Ogbako Ohaji, expressed disappointment that those clamouring for the creation of Orlu state by whatever name have uptill now not deemed it necessary to consult the leaders and stakeholders in Ohaji to know where they actually want to belong in the unfolding dispensation.This, he said means that they are being taken for granted.
