BY PETER OKUTU
GOVERNOR Martin Elechi is yet to make any official statement with regards to the sack of non-indigenes by Abia State Government.

Speculation has it that the Governor still sees the expulsion of non-indigenes from Abia State as a rumour and has so far refused to take any official stand on the matter, pending when Abia State Governor would communicate him officially and or the state executive council decides unanimously on the matter.

Although, some sacked Ebonyi State indigenes from Abia State Civil Service have staged a protest in Abakaliki, the state government appears to be waiting for an appropriate time to react on the matter.

However, major stakeholders in the state are not happy with the development, stressing that such actions were capable of disintegrating the unity, collective responsibility and cultural affinity of the Ndigbo both in the country and in the Diaspora. While others are of the view that the Ndigbo Presidency, 2015, would remain a mirage if the issue of sacked non-indigenes was not carefully addressed.

It is also feared in some quarters, that some South-East governors may sack non-indigenes in their states, a development that may completely erode Ndigbo unity.

In an exclusive chat with Vanguard, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Chike Onwe noted that the state government was yet to be communicated officially on such proposition, adding that it would at this stage be considered as a mere rumour except proven otherwise in due course. He however noted that if implemented that it would threaten the corporate existence of Ndigbo and also the well being of Nigerians.

“Disengaging people from service on account of place of origin is backward thinking. But as I said, it is still on the plane of rumour and we don’t react to rumours but to substance. For now it is not true, when it is true the issue will be addressed. I think the Ndigbo is a united people and we shall not allow anything to disintegrate this unity. I think it will be unfortunate if such a thing happens.”

He stressed that the state government would not be part of any process that would cause disaffection among citizens because of indigenization. He added that non-indigenes in the state were gainfully occupying sensitive positions, even in the state executive council.

His words:“Since we talking about true federalism, we cannot achieve much by being sectional or calling some ‘indigenes’ and some others ‘non indigenes.’ So, for us to achieve true federalism, we must get people to feel at home wherever they are. We looking at a situation where an individual from Kaduna comes to Ebonyi State and stands for any election and the man from Ebonyi goes to Lagos, stands for an election and gets elected and serves his term.

“The position of Abia State government is yet to be made available to the Ebonyi State Government but as I said it is still a rumour. But if that turns out to be true, the matter will be looked at collectively by the state executive council and a position will be taken. In the interim, it is still a rumour and we shall treat it as such. But I want to inform that there are Abians and people who are from other states that work in Ebonyi unhindered and unmarginalized, not witch hunted and we see ourselves as brothers and sisters.”