6th July, 2018
Some groups consisting of non-indigenes in Ebonyi have called on the Anambra Government to re-instate Abakaliki street to the original location it where it was in Awka.
The renaming of the street by the Anambra Government was stoutly resisted by the Ebonyi Government in spite of the naming of another street in the town with the name Abakaliki.
The Ebonyi House of Assembly has in a recent resolution called on the Anambra Government to reinstate the changed name or it will mandate its state government to rename all streets named after Anambra towns and indigenes in Ebonyi.
The groups are Association of Urban Town Unions, Association of Anambra Town Unions, Urban Forum and Landlords Association, Abakaliki, on Friday urged the Anambra Government to urgently rescind its earlier decision.
The groups in a communiqué by its respective chairmen, rued that a little misunderstanding resulting from renaming of Abakaliki street in Awka, generated such tension.
“This development if not properly handled, will undermine the peace and mutual co-existence between the two sister-states which would be detrimental to the Igbo cause.
“We thank Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi for the wisdom he employed in handling the situation as he sent a fact-finding mission to Awka to ascertain the truth behind the development.
“This is a very sensitive matter and we pray that God in his infinite mercy would permanently resolve the brewing issue,” the communiqué said.
The communiqué urged Gov, Willie Obiano of Anambra to re-instate the name of the street to its original location for the interest of peace and mutual co-existence.
“Anambra and Ebonyi have a history of mutual and cordial relationship without any form of discrimination, spanning from the eastern region era, east central state to the present Anambra and Ebonyi.
“Anambra indigenes have played a significant role in the development of Ebonyi as they own big businesses and properties, and likewise, Ebonyi indigenes residing in Anambra.
“Ebonyi has remained hospitable to non-indigenes and we know that the same situation is applicable in Anambra and other states of the South-East Zone,” the group said.
The communiqué also said that the Umahi-led administration had the highest record of appointment of non-indigenes, especially from Anambra in its civil, public service and political positions.
“Umahi has shown great interest in the welfare of non-indigene associations as he is the grand patron of the association of urban town unions,” it said.