Following the recent agitation from different groups in the Southeast region demanding more states for the Southeast zone, another group under the aegis of Egbema Progressive Assembly, comprised of people from both Imo and Rivers States, are demanding the creation of Orashi State.
The demand was made during their General Assembly meeting, which took place at the palace of the paramount ruler of Mgbede Autonomous Community, Eze Chadwick Ogor, where they resolved to be united under one state.
Speaking during the Congress, the Chief Convener of the event, Prince Nwakibea, said elders, opinion leaders, women leaders, the church, the youths, and the traditional institutions met at the palace of Eze Ogor and resolved that Egbema will be united in one state called Orashi State.
Nwakibea noted that Egbema did not only want to be united in one state but also needs at least five LGAs to be created.
He maintained that Egbema in both Imo and Rivers States has over 120 communities that can be viable if raised to local councils, claiming that each community has abundant human and natural resources to stand on their own.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Congress, J.C. Omaegbu, said the essence of the gathering was to let the world know that Egbema Nation is one indivisible community created by God.
He added that culturally, geographically, and otherwise, Egbema is one people but became divided following the creation of states.
“And now we are crying like our fathers did to be reunited under a state now that Nigeria is talking about state creation, and our preferred state is Orashi, which is one of the states seeking to be created,” he said.
The paramount ruler, in his speech, said the heart and soul of the entire Egbema Nation are longing to be reunited.
The royal highness maintained that time has come for that to be achieved, adding that with the level of enlightenment of the young men and women, they are strongly together in pursuing their demand.
Speaking also, the leader of the women folks, Blessing Obidike, said the importance of unifying Egbema in one state cannot be overemphasized.
She pointed out that Egbema Nation is long overdue to be reunified as one, whether in Rivers State or in a new state that would soon be created.
The Egbema Youth President, Mr Henry Alimezie, said whatever resolution the Egbema people have taken, the youths of Egbema are solidly in support of it.
Another illustrious son from the area, Uche Mike Chukwuma, former Assistant Commissioner of Police, in his speech said that Egbema has suffered marginalization in both Imo and Rivers States because of the division, adding that the mineral deposits in Egbema land are being exploited and siphoned by people of other clans.
He hinted that every Egbema man wants to be in one state, and the people feel really marginalized in Imo State, stressing that the State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, ISOPADEC, has been doing projects in other areas that don’t have oil while Egbema suffers.
The Chief Convener of the event, Prince Nwakibea, noted that some parts of Egbema living in Imo State do not have electricity, roads, pipe-borne water, and above all, appointments and employment from the state government, yet over seven oil companies are operating in the area.
Nwakibea narrated that the old Egbema, made up of sixteen communities, was together in old Ahoada Province but was divided by the creation of Imo and Rivers States in 1976, upon which 13 communities were ceded to Imo State while three communities remained in Rivers State.
He explained that 16 communities have since then grown and developed into over 120 communities, which qualifies them more to have a state of their own.
