•Calls for restoration of Abia Charter of Equity

By PETER ANOSIKE

The Convener of Ihe Abia, Ichie Emeka Okpara, has congratulated the government and good people of Abia State on the occasion of the celebration of the 34th anniversary of the creation of Abia State, and called on all Abians to continue to work towards a better Abia.

Speaking to journalists during a media parley, Okpara praised the courage of the founding fathers of Abia State and how successive leaders managed the unity of the State until things started falling apart.

He said: "I congratulate the government and good people of Abia State on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of our dear state. As we celebrate, we also have to be fair and tell ourselves the honest truth. Let us ask ourselves honest questions: have we followed and realised the lofty dreams of our founding fathers, is Abia where it is supposed to be when compared with other States that were created at the same time, have we made progress as a people in terms of unity of purpose? Only well-meaning Abians will answer these questions sincerely without trying to sound politically correct. The answer is No and we must use this period of celebration to do some introspection and work towards a better and greater Abia.”

Speaking further, Okpara thanked the former and present governors of Abia for the work they have done and urged for increased dividends of democracy for Abia people.

“I thank the former and present governors for what they have done. They did their best, even if wasn’t or isn’t good enough. The truth is that there is still enough room for improvement,” he said.

Okpara called on the good people of Abia State to continue to hold their leaders to account, because that is the only way good governance can be achieved for the people, and stressed the importance of unity as espoused by the founding fathers of the state.

“It is important that I emphasise the importance of Abia people getting involved in how they are governed. This is not the time to take sides and cover up wrongs that impact us negatively. It would not take us far in our quest for growth and development.

“I also have to call on the political leaders of Abia to ensure that the Abia Charter of Equity which was jettisoned by the leaders should be returned immediately so that the peace we took for granted in Abia would be restored. To be very specific, the Charter of Equity which should have seen Abia North produce the governor after the completion of the first round should be returned to,” he said.

Okpara called on the good people of Abia to remain steadfast in their determination to build a better state that would be the envy of others.