Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji 

By Emmanuel Ugwu

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has reiterated his support for the creation of an additional state in the South-east, saying that the demand was just and not negotiable.

The governor’s stance on the raging debate on the desirability or otherwise of creation of more states in Nigeria was contained in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ugochukwu Emzue.
Orji pointed out that the demand for a new state in the South-east geo-political zone has already been fully endorsed by the South-east Governors’ Forum as the additional state would bring the zone at par with the others.
South-east presently has five states while the rest of the zones have six each with the exception of the North-west zone which has seven states.

The Abia governor said that even though he remained in the forefront of the agitation for the creation of Aba State, he would be comfortable if the new state is eventually carved out of any of the five states in the South-east so long as it brings the zone at par with others.

He commended those championing the creation of additional state in the region, especially the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, saying that such persons deserved commendation for their for their commitment, sacrifice and efforts in giving Ndigbo a pride of place in the country.

Orji therefore insisted that equalisation of states is one cause all Ndigbo are committed to and they would not rest on their oars until their dream comes true as the struggle “is anchored on equity, fair play and justice.”