Indigenes of Aba in Abia State have faulted the move by Governor Alex Otti to elect a Mayor in their city, and have threatened to take action
The umbrella body of the 24 indigenous communities of Aba North and Aba South in Abia state on the aegis of Indigenous People of Aba Ngwa, has warned the state governor, Alex Otti, over his proposed appointment of a ‘Mayor of Aba’, describing the move as not only unconstitutional, but also an aberration.
The Aba indigenes also said that “appointing a non-indigene as the said ‘Mayor of Aba’, which has been said to be unconstitutional, is an insult on the sensibilities of the peaceful and hard-working indigenous people of Aba.”
In a communique issued after its Thursday meeting, the Indigenous People of Aba Ngwa vowed to resist any attempt capable of inciting violence in Aba city.
The communique released to newsmen Friday in Abuja and signed by Ogechukwu Ogbonna (Obama), Chintua Nwagba and Engr Obinna Greg, on behalf of the Indigenous People of Aba Ngwa, also expressed worry that Aba has been deliberately excluded by the Governor in his appointments into the State Executive Council and in the leadership of the markets.
The Communique
The communique reads in parts: “The Indigenous People of Aba Ngwa, the umbrella body of the 24 indigenous communities of Aba North and Aba South met on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Osusu Aba Town Hall. Arising from the well-attended meeting, the Forum issued the following resolutions:
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“That we acknowledge that Dr Alex Otti whose duties, functions and actions are defined and guided by the Constitution of Nigeria and some other extant laws.
“That Aba is owned by the indigenous people drawn from the 24 communities of Aba-la-Ohazu.
“That we express our utmost disappointment at the comment credited to Dr Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, wherein he described Aba as a no-man’s land.
“That we are greatly worried that Aba has been deliberately excluded by the Governor in his appointments into the State Executive Council and in the leadership of the markets.
“That the proposed appointment of a ‘Mayor of Aba’ is not only unconstitutional, but also an aberration.
“That appointing a non-indigene as the Transition Committee Chairman of Aba is against the Abia State Local Government Transition Edict of 2002 which stipulates that the person appointed as a chairman shall be a native of the local government area.
“That appointing a non-indigene as the said ‘Mayor of Aba’, which has been said to be unconstitutional, is an insult on the sensibilities of the peaceful and hard-working indigenous people of Aba.”
