Only miracle will make Abia Charter of Equity to be passed into law – Abia Advisory Council 

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia 

After 31 unsuccessful years of trials, the Abia Advisory Council says it will only take a miracle for the Abia Charter of Equity to be passed into law.

Acting Chairman of the Council, Sir Chikezi Wachuku, expressed this view while briefing newsmen in Umuahia Thursday on activities lined up for the celebration of 31 years of the creation of the state, also called for faithful implementation of the 30-year development plan for even development of the state.

Abia was created on August 27,1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration. 

The founding fathers, had, during the movement for creation of the state, drafted the document called Abia Charter of Equity, to guide equitable sharing and rotation of political positions to check any form of domination by any part of the state.

Sir Wachuku said that since Abia came into existence, the Advisory Council has done everything possible to get the Abia State House of Assembly to make the Abia Charter of Equity a legal document by passing it into law but to no avail.

According to him, passing the Charter of Equity, a document the Council said it has presented to almost all sessions of the House of Assembly, passing it into law was not on the priority list of the law makers. 

Thought the Acting Chairman of the Council maintained that body has not given up in trying to persuade the Assembly to do the needful, he said it would take a miracle to achieve the objective.

“When hope is alive, there is existence. We are hoping for miracle.

“We have consistently and persistently pleaded with the various administrations for the passing of the ‘Charter of Equity ‘ into Law by our State House of Assembly. We hope that this administration and the incoming one would harken to our prayers,” Wachuku added.

The Council commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his team for producing the Abia State Long Term Development Plan 2020 – 2050.

“This is the first comprehensive plan geared towards a systematic development of all sections for the next 30 years. We plead with the incoming administration to utilize the inputs made in the development plan to move the state to greater heights,” Wachuku appealed.

To ensure good governance, he implored Nigerians to vote wisely during the 2023 general elections, which it said, would determine the future of Nigeria. 

He appreciated all the nine governor’s (military and civilians), including Ikpeazu, who have administered Abia for their various constructive and progressive contributions to the growth of the state to the present level of achievement.

While urging Abians to celebrate the anniversary peacefully, Wachuku enjoined them to beware of their local environment because of the security situation in the country.

“As we celebrate this 31st birthday of Abia State in 2022, we should all be our brother’s keeper. The security of the state depends on each and everyone of us. We must be vigilant and security conscious. All suspicious activities and movements observed by any member of the Society should be reported to the security agents of the State,” the Council advised.

The press briefing which kicked off the week-long anniversary celebration, would be followed by Jumat prayers this Friday and a Thanksgiving Church Service on Sunday at St. Stephens Anglican Church, Umuahia .

This will be followed next Tuesday by commissioning of projects by the Governor as well as s music show and presentation of Staff of Office to some traditional rulers.

The grand finale would be on September 1, 2022 which would feature a lecture, book presentation, cutting of the birthday cake and honouring of some distinguished Abians.