Abia Charter of Equity: Supreme document Senator Orji fulfilled

By Ibrahim Ramalan Title: ‘God’s Own State: An Account of the Creation of Abia State Author: Professor Samuel N.
Nwabara Year: 1993 Pages: 317 Senator Theodore A.
Orji is truly a leader that is naturally born and socially accepted.
This personality served and is still serving Abia state in various capacities, including the number-one man in the state for two consecutive terms.
His deeds and utterances have always been in tandem with the blueprint (Magna Carta) prepared by the founding fathers of Abia state since 1981 and preserved by the good people of the state for unborn generations.
His sterling performance and statesmanship fit the description this Magna Carta christened as ‘Abia Charter of Equity’, which has become the code of conduct for the handles or would-be handlers of Abia state.
This charter has been prominently and generously quoted in a book: ‘God’s Own State: An Account of the Creation of Abia State, written in 1993 by S.
N.
Nwabara.
This book under review chronicles the struggles as well as the challenges encountered during the agitation for the creation of the state.
It is, however, noteworthy that in Nigeria, a creation of states has been widely accepted as an essential device for guaranteeing equal opportunities for even development across the country.
More so, the history of the creation of states in Nigeria has shown that it is impossible to offer equal opportunities to the constituent communities without minimising the emotional and human difficulties confronting each of them.
Against this backdrop, according to the book, the desire and agitation for the creation of the then proposed ABIA state became a serious matter of concern leading to the creating a ‘movement’ on 20th August 1981 by Dr.
Michael Iheonukara Okpara, the pioneer National Chairman of the movement.
The author takes us back to the years when the struggle for the Abia state creation began on August 3, 1980, as well as the drafting of the Abia Charter of Equity.
The Charter, according to the book, was to promote even development and equitable distribution of amenities, position in the then proposed state.
The document was explicit on the rotation and principle in addition to the equality in the distribution of key political post.
Historically speaking, the author discloses that the name ABIA was coined by Dr. A. Azikpe.
It is derived out of the now major towns that constitute the proposed state as thus: Aba division, Bende division, Isui Kwuato district and Afikpo division.
Similarly, the author gives us another dimension of the name claiming that was fashioned out from the Bible in concomitance with its motto ‘God’s Own State’.
The defenders of this name make reference to Matthew, verse seven of the King James’ version of Bible as well as in Luke 1 verses 5 to 6.
Above all, according to him, the name connotes friendship and co-operation rather than conflict.
Now, the charter, according to the book, states that Abia governor and his deputy must not come from the same senatorial zone.
Also, the governor and State Assembly Speaker or governor and secretary to the state government must not come from the same senatorial district.
Also, chairman of the Civil Service Commission, the Head of Service must not come from the same senatorial zone of the state.
The Document did mince word that the Chief Judge and the Attorney General must also not be of the same district.
Others are Chairman Local government Service and Chairman Electoral Commission as well as Head of Service and Secretary to the government.
The author states with a sense of authority that the Document was unanimously adopted by Ndi Eze, Chiefs, Elders and representatives of the people of Aba and Umuahia senatorial zones, as well as Isui Kwuato district.
Having ratified by all and sundry in the state, the Charter of Equity is expected to be a document or guideline to be used and followed religiously in the State as long as it doesn’t contradict the country’s constitution.
A glimmer of home shined on the Abians as after many and lengthy political shenanigans by the sitting government as well as consistent advocacy by the ‘movement’, the Babangida Administration granted the request for the creation of Abia State in 1991.
The first Executive Governor of the State, Dr.
Ogbonaya Onu, christened and popularised its motto as ‘God’s own State’ on April, 1992.
Now, by practice, it has been observed that since the return of democracy in 1991, the charter has not been strictly followed.
But a Daniel came to judgement when the fourth democratically elected insisted that his successor must come from the deprived of the Abia South.
Senator Orji then outgoing governor, led to the emergence of the incumbent governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Obingwa in the Abia South Senatorial district.
However, it is not the first time Senator Orji was making waves.
Immediately sworn in as the state governor, he promoted all civil servants to the next level.
He is the first civil servant to become governor in Abia.
He removed the glass ceiling in Abia State University by appointing the first female registrar, appointed the highest number of female commissioners in his cabinet, among many others.
By implication, T. A. Orji deserves some accolade for standing firm in the application of this age-long Charter.
That seeks to poster equitable distribution of resources and human senses of belonging bereft of any marginalisation by any of the component parts of the State.
Consequently, he has been amply recognised earning many titles like Omeziri MBA, Opuriche, Papa Ukwu, Grand Governor and Father of New Abia.
Senators Orji makes history as the lone PDP candidate for Senate in Abia Central Senatorial District.