—— Says constructive engagement and strategic dialogue remain the strongest tools for securing justice and equity for the zone.
Former Presidential Candidate, National Conscience Party (NCP), Chief Martin Onovo, made this known on Tuesday while speaking on the topic “Marginalization of Ndi Greater Awgu: Real or Imaginary?,” on the programme, Political Conversations on Freedom Square TV, anchored by Uchenna Cyril Anioke.
Chief Onovo raised concerns over what he described as the persistent marginalisation of the Greater Awgu area, calling on stakeholders to embrace civility, dialogue and persuasion as the most effective means of addressing the issue.
According to him, “the first thing is that we must all respect facts. The lawyers will say ‘Res Ipsa Loquitur’- the facts speak for themselves. I think it is very clear, I think across the streets, the majority agree and understand that Greater Awgu people are marginalized. The facts are very clear. Sometimes because of lack of information about history, it may not be clearly understood because it is structural, since 1922 when Awgu was created. Before then, we were part of the Okigwe province. When Awgu Division was created, Udi and Nsukka Divisions were also created. What you call Enugu State today is made up of three old Divisions– Awgu, Udi and Nsukka Divisions. So these three Old Divisions make up today, Enugu State.
Continuing, so it is the gerrymandering that imposed the structural marginalization that has lasted till date. Subsequent military creation of Local Government saw the creation of Aninri. Right now in Enugu state, there are seventeen Local Government Areas, only three are in Greater Awgu. Arithmetically, if you do three divisions in one state, maybe you will say Awgu is 33%, Nsukka is 33%, Udi Division is 34% since it holds the capital of Enugu State. But today, if you do the arithmetic of three Local Government Areas out of 17, you have 17.6%, so you see how 33% has being reduced to 17.6% through political gerrymandering. While we insist that it is structural and constitutional, good faith require a high level of morality and justice. So things can still be adjusted and because of that, the condition has even being worsen by abuse of office. What do I mean– if things are shared and you are not represented, there is a tendency either not to give you or to give you less for not properly represented. That has lasted all this years since 1976. A lot of people will not understand when you claim marginalization because they will say we shared it by Local Government Areas. Are they not only 17%, why do they demand 33%, so those kinds of things are as a result of lack of full information.”
Chief Onovo lamented that Greater Awgu has continued to suffer neglect in political representation, infrastructure development and access to key government opportunities, despite its contributions to the growth of the state.
He stressed that while the feelings of exclusion among the people are understandable, resorting to hostility or division would only worsen the situation.
“Greater Awgu is marginalized, and the facts are clear. However, our response must be guided by wisdom, civility and persuasion, not anger,” Onovo said.
“The truth is that in civility, it is persuasion, dialogue that is regarded as the best approach. Persuasion and dialogue is the best approach, otherwise you might end up with violence. Violence only destroys, it can never be positive. So it is persuasion, we have brothers, Nsukka people are our brothers. Let me tell you something, Sullivan Chime may think I am his enemy, when he was the Governor, we were very critical of the marginalization and he took some steps that showed good faith. He gave additional appointments when we insisted that it was unfair to the Greater Awgu people,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate urged political leaders, traditional rulers and youths from the area to unite around a common agenda and present their demands through peaceful and organised channels. He noted that sustained advocacy, backed by facts and unity of purpose, would attract the attention of decision-makers more effectively.
Onovo also appealed to the state government and relevant authorities to address the grievances of Greater Awgu in the interest of fairness and inclusive governance, warning that continued neglect could deepen feelings of alienation among the people.
He therefore expressed optimism that with dialogue and mutual respect, the marginalisation of Greater Awgu could be addressed, paving the way for balanced development.