Indigenes of Abia State have cautioned the state governor, Alex Otti, against proceeding with the proposed appointment of a ‘Mayor of Aba’, saying it is “not only unconstitutional, but also an aberration.”
The 24 indigenous communities of Aba North and Aba South under the auspices of Indigenous People of Aba Ngwa warned that “appointing a non-indigene as ‘Mayor of Aba’ would amount to an insult on the sensibilities of the people of Aba.
In a communique issued after its meeting yesterday, the Indigenous People of Aba Ngwa vowed to resist any attempt capable of inciting violence in Aba city.
In the communique in Abuja signed by Mr. Ogechukwu Ogbonna (Obama), Mr. Chintua Nwagba and Engr Obinna Greg on their behalf, the Indigenous People of Aba Ngwa, also alleged that Aba had been deliberately excluded by the governor in his appointments into the State Executive Council and in the leadership of the markets.
The communique reads in part: “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:
“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.”