As the scramble for Ohaji/Egbema by the various contending zones and groups agitating for creation of new state from the presentImoStatecontinues, another group has clamoured for the inclusion of the oil-rich local government in the presentRiversState.
In a statement issued after a meeting of Ohaji/Egbema New Dimension held at Etekwuru-Egbema, the group noted that it has no option than to return to Rivers State and asked to be included in the South-South should a new state be created from the present state.
According to a statement endorsed by two leaders of the group, Hon Kenneth Ekwueme and Prince Marcel Amadioha, the people of Ohaji/Egbema have common ancestry, cultural, religious, educational and political affinity with people ofRiversStatethan the two groups attempting to have them in their divide should a new state to be created from the presentImoState.
The group disclosed that while communities like Umuapu, Umuagwo, Mgbuisi Clan and Umuokanne in Ohaji had existing relationship with Ikwerre andEleleProvinceduring the pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial periods, Assa, Awarra, Obile and Egbema Communities were part and parcel ofAhoadaProvincein the presentRiversStatewithin that period.
Stating further, the group noted that it was suicidal for Ohaji/Egbema communities to dump their kin and kiths inRiversStateto join the presentImoStatewhere they have faced ill-treatment, abandonment and disrespect overtime.
‘it would be recalled that our fore-fathers and parents associated with Elele/Ikwerre Division, attended schools in those areas, were baptized by both Anglican and Catholic Churches in Elele and Ahoada provinces, wrestled and shared common markets with Ikwerre communities like Apani, Omerelu, and Okwuzi, Omoku in Ahoada areas before politics of state creation and boundary separated us from our relations on the other divide in Rivers State. Hence our decision to resume our ties with our kin who will not only understand us better but also appreciate our togetherness than the oppressive and exploitative Orlu/Njaba zone agitators and their Owerri zone compatriots who are grumbling to have us in their geo-political divide because of our oil and rich natural resources’, the statement added.
While stating that it has opened discussion withRiversStateauthorities and have sent a delegation to the National Assembly for that purpose, the Ohaji/Egbema New Dimension expressed that a sensitization campaign and awareness tour to all Ohaji/Egbema communities on the issue of going back to Rivers state, will commence soon.
