Ebonyi Assembly Gives Anambra Govt Seven Day Ultimatum to Restore Abakaliki Street

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has given the Anambra State Government seven-day ultimatum to restore the renamed Abakaliki street, failure of which the assembly will mandate the government of Ebonyi State to rename all structures named after Anambra people and towns with immediate effect.

Speaking with journalists yesterday in Abakaliki over the resolution of the state assembly, the Chairman, Assembly Committee on Information and Member representing Ikwo South state constituency, Hon. Chike Ogiji, said the decision became important because the action was not only embarrassing but a threat to the unity of Igbo nation.

This was the resolution of the assembly after its last Wednesday plenary, where they also resolved that Anambra State Government must also apologise to the people of Ebonyi State.

A street hitherto known as 'Abakaliki street' in Awka, was recently renamed 'Club street' by Anambra State Government, but the people of Ebonyi State were not happy with the development.

Though, Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Mr. Leo Nwuba, had while reacting to the condemnation trailing the matter, noted that contrary to the recent uproar in the media over the renaming of the street, a new street had long been designated to be named Abakaliki Street within the capital city.

 He added that the renaming of the street as ‘Club Road’ was part of the on-going efforts to interpret the Awka City Master Plan.

But during last Wednesday plenary, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly expressed displeasure over the action of Anambra State Government and insisted that the street must be restored back to Abakaliki Street if the existing cordial relationship between the two states was still important to Anambra State Government.

He said it was worrisome that government of Anambra State could rename a street named after Abakaliki which had existed for many years; an indication that it had no regard for the cordial relationship that had existed between the two states.

Ogiji who is also the sponsor of the motion said aside the fact that every successive government in Ebonyi State had always accommodated Anambra sons and daughters in governance of the state, many streets, town and halls within the capital city were also named after Anambra people and towns not minding that they have prominent sons and daughters to name after the structures.

According to him,  "The matter in question was sponsored by me. It became important that the sanctity and the relationship that has existed over the years among the people of Anambra and Ebonyi States is sustained in any account. 

“No government that has not featured prominently either a son or daughter of Anambra State in the government of Ebonyi State.

"It will also be interesting to note that most of the major streets and towns either named after Anambra men's name or towns to the extent of having Aniocha, Awka, Onitcha streets, all of these are prominently in the heart of Abakaliki city.

"It is not only that it is embarrassing to the people of Ebonyi, it is also a pointer to the fact that it is a threat to the unity of Igbo nation. And I feel that people of Igbo land should rise up against it; just as the Ebonyi State House of Assembly resolved that if after July 3, 2018, and that same street is not restored back to Abakaliki, the government and the people of Ebonyi State have been mandated by the House to change every city, street, town and hall that bears Anambra man or town's name.”