Sack Of Non-Abia Workers: Monarch Solicits Ohaneze Intervention

A traditional ruler, Eze Desmond Oguguo, has appealed to the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, to intervene in the crisis generated by the disengagement of non-indigenes working in Abia State public service.

Oguguo, who is the traditional ruler of Eziudo Autonomous Community in Imo, made the appeal in Umuahia last Saturday, while speaking with newsmen

The traditional ruler stressed that the timely intervention of Ohaneze Ndigbo would forestall a crisis of disunity in the South-East.

Oguguo described the disengagement policy of Governor Theodore Orji as “ill-motivated and unfortunate”.

He stressed that the policy was capable of generating hostile feelings among the people, adding that it also threatened the desired unity among the states of the South East.

“I’m surprised that Ohaneze Ndigbo has yet to wade into the matter. They should hold dialogue with the governor and make him understand that we are all one,’’ he said.

The monarch, who claimed that he had lived in Abia for over 50 years, recalled that he made meaningful contributions toward the state’s creation.

He blamed civil servants for “misguiding” the governor to sack non-indigenes working in the state’s public service “because they wanted positions’’.

He, nonetheless, bemoaned the fact that the governor accepted the advice without minding the consequences.

Oguguo recalled that he led a delegation of Ohaneze Ndigbo to protest against a similar policy adopted by the last military administrator of Enugu State, adding, however, that the policy was discontinued shortly after the visit.

He urged the Abia governor to rescind his decision in the interest of promoting the unity of the Igbo, while looking at alternative means of paying the N18,000 minimum wage

Governor Orji had hinged the disengagement of non-indigenes in the state’s employ on the need to generate funds for the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage.