Umuokanne, Ohaji, Imo State, Nigeria –– The Ogabko Ohaji People’s Forum, the apex socio-cultural body representing the Ohaji District, has vehemently rejected any proposal to include their region in the creation of the mooted Orlu State.

 

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Senate President at the National Assembly in Abuja, the organization, speaking on behalf of the approximately 400,000 residents across 25 autonomous communities and seven INEC wards, declared their unwavering stance to remain within Imo State.

 

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The Forum stated its full support for the creation of an additional state in the South East geopolitical zone, acknowledging the need to address the existing imbalance among the six zones in Nigeria and provide the region with a greater sense of belonging.

However, they expressed deep concern and outright rejection of any attempt to merge the OhajiNation with Egbema under the umbrella of a new “Orlu State” or any similarly named entity.

 

The letter highlighted the significant population and distinct identity of the Ohaji Nation, emphasizing that it is larger than four Local Government Areas in some other parts of Imo State. The Forum decried the lack of consultation from the proponents of the Orlu State, labeling it as “egregious and insulting” and an indication that Ohaji people are being taken for granted.

 

Recalling the historical inclusion of Ohaji District in the Orlu Senatorial zone as an “aberration” driven by “greed, selfishness, annexation,” and the alleged “bribery of a few leaders,” the Ogabko Ohaji People’s Forum asserted that the time has come to rectify this “inconvenient political marriage for strange bed fellows.”

 

The organization presented a historical overview, citing several instances where the people of Ohaji had consistently expressed their desire to remain within Imo State:

• The 1975 Justice Irikefe Commission: Ohaji/Egbema leaders successfully advocated to be included in the newly created Imo State rather than Rivers State.
• The 1976 Justice Mamman Boundary Adjustments Commission: Leaders from Ohaji/Egbema again insisted on remaining in Imo State, leading to their placement in the defunct Owerri Province.
• The 2009 Memorandum for the Creation of Njaba State: Leaders from Owerri, Okigwe, Oha ji, and Egbema jointly resolved to remain in Imo State while supporting the creation of a new state in the South East.
• The 2008 Separate Memorandum by Ohaji and Egbema: Stakeholders emphasized their long-standing affinity with the Owerri zone based on historical, cultural, dialectical, religious, educational, and geopolitical links, firmly rejecting belonging to any state other than Imo State with Owerri as its capital.

 

Their letter dated June 11, 2024: The Forum reiterated the lack of cultural and social affinity with the Orlu people, stressing that political alliances should be based on choice and agreement, not compulsion.

 

Concluding their statement, the Ogabko Ohaji People’s Forum, echoing the sentiments of their forefathers and past leaders, firmly stated that “Ohaji District will not be part of the proposed Orlu State.”

 

While expressing support for the success of any new state creation in the region, they insisted on remaining in Imo State or any other state that does not have Orlu as its capital, emphasizing their fundamental right to self-determination.

 

The letter was signed by key leaders of the Ogabko Ohaji People’s Forum and the Ohaji Committee on State Creation, including High Chief Sir Fidelis Enyia, Hon Chief Johnbosco Ben, Dr. Theodore Amunwa, Prof. Meshack Ifurueze, and Comr. Nwosu Nicholas Tochi. Copies of the letter were also sent to prominent political figures representing the Orlu Senatorial Zone and the Ohaji/Egbema constituency at both the national and state levels.