ABIA CHARTER OF EQUITY: Anagha Ezeikpe Gives Reasons Why It Should Be Passed Into Law
By Anya C Anya
Chief Dr. Anagha Ezeikpe , One among the founding fathers of Abia state and the chairman of Abia state advisory council has reached out to the Executive Governor of Abia state Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to do whatever it is required to legalize the Abia Charter of Equity since it is necessary to ensure equitable distribution of powers among the senatorial zones in the state.
This appeal from Dr. Anagha Ezeikpe came on Thursday while he was holding a press briefing on the plan of the advisory council concerning the 29th year anniversary celebration of the creation of Abia state. According to Dr. Ezeikpe, the Executive council should collaborate with the legislative arm to pass the charter of equity into law.
Dr. Ezeikpe who was represented at the media briefing by the deputy Chairman of the council (Administration) Mr. Chikezie Wachukwu said nobody would deny the existence of the Abia Charter of Equity set up by the founding fathers of the state rooted on the need to enshrine and encourage unity among Abians.
” This is not the first time we are making the appeal , we have done that to every passing administration in the state because we understand what it would be to legalize the charter of equity , unfortunately it is yet to be implemented but we believe now is the right time to effect the necessary order which will serve as precedent in future “
It will interest you to note that Abia state would be 29 years on the 27th of August 2020 having been created on Aug. 27, 1991 out the former Imo by the promulgation of the state Decree 21 of 1991 by then Federal Military Government of Nigeria and it is usually celebrated with events and ceremony as organized by the advisory council.
And According to Dr. Ezeikpe, there is no better time to legalize the charter than now because of the benefit it will bring to the state most especially “For fear of domination by one group over the other, that was the reason why the organs of government were agreed to be shared/rotated equitably.The state movement comprised the old Aba Division, old Bende Division, old Afikpo Division and old Isuikwuato District in old Okigwe Division” .
“It was from the first alphabets of this district that letters were transformed to form Abia. A Chatter of Equity was signed by the representatives of the various divisions and district. Where It was agreed that the Chatter of Equity would be presented to the Abia House of Assembly for enactment into law at the creation of the state to ensure that equity is applied in all transactions in the state.”
Concerning the celebration as would be letter communicated , He noted that this year’s celebration would be low-key because of the advent of Coronavirus pandemic, even as he urged the people to observe the COVID-19 protocol.But part of the program arrange for the celebration within the weekend include a special Jumat prayers by the Muslim community in Abia on Friday and special church service on Sunday. But as expected, the Executive Governor of the state Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu on August. 27th would hold a statewide broadcast to be followed by a special lecture on COVID-19 during the celebration.
