Abia State Government has threatened war against those behind the proposed installation of the emir of Aba, saying that such a proposal is strange, illegal and without any authorisation.
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chris Ezem, in a strong-worded press statement, issued yesterday, warned those behind the illegality to stop immediately or brace up for the full weight of the law.
The statement, made available to Vanguard, read: “The attention of the Government of Abia State has been drawn to a proposed coronation of one Sarki Shehu Bello II as the emir of ‘Aba Emirate Council’, without recourse to government.
“Government wishes to warn all involved in this unauthorized and illegal coronation to stop, forthwith, or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
“Government, hereby, directs the immediate cancellation of the proposed illegal coronation, as there is nothing like ‘Aba Emirate Council’ in the state.
“Government further warns all residents in the state, especially residents in Aba, to be law-abiding.
*Law enforcement agents have been directed to swing into action and ensure that no such event, capable of breaching the existing peace in the state, takes place in Aba or any part of the state.”
Reacting to the development yesterday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned in strong terms, the alleged plot to establish an emirate in Aba, Abia State, saying that it is sowing a seed of discord.
Ohanaeze has, therefore, thrown its support to the Abia State Government in stopping such a plot.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Chidozie Ogbonnia, emirate means an area the Emir rules which connotes that the area is dominated by Muslims and wondered how such a thing will work in Aba and South East in general which is 99 per cent Christian dominated.
It will not work; it means the people of Aba are Muslims, and it will bring conflict of interest.
“What I expect them to do is to have a leader of the Hausa community as they are in many places in Igbo land. And we also have leaders of Igbo communities in the North.
“No, not an emirate, emirate means that the area is dominated by Muslims which is not the case in Aba or any part of Igbo land. It will create conflict.
“It should not be contemplated at all, it is an anathema, I support the Abia State Government, it should not be allowed”, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said.
Also reacting , the Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, have described as a declaration of Jihad on Igbo land, the alleged plot by a Fulani group to install Emir of Aba.
This is as the paramount ruler of Abiriba ancient kingdom, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Enachioken Abaribe), has described the proposal as very strange and a ploy for something sinister.
The apex socio-political youth group in the South East geopolitical zone
COSEYL in a statement by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, called on those behind the “expensive loke over the plot by Fulani Community to install “Emir Of Aba”. Such an expensive joke by the Fulani is a declaration of Jihad against Ndigbo in Aba.
The apex socio-political youth group in the South East geopolitical zone said: “It is surprising that the Fulani who came to Aba as strangers have perfected plans to take over Aba by installing an emir, which means Aba will be a Fulani territory.
“We warn the plotters and organizers of such an expensive joke to immediately leave Abia State with their evil plot back to where they came from.
“Aba and South East are not a Fulani land and we don’t want to hear such again. Enough is enough!” Igbo youths warned.
Similarly, HRM Eze Ogbu said the strange development was a signal to something beyond the ordinary.
The monarch who said that the State Government had all needed to halt the combustible plot charged Government to decisively deal with the situation before it snowballs into something dangerous.
His words:” That is a signal for something else. It’s beyond what you can see now with your eyes. It’s a very serious issue.
So, anybody trying to do that is somebody that has already dined with the devil and is prepared to show the world that he has dined with the devil.
“The state government is in a very good position to stop it. It’s very strange in Igbo land and should not be tolerated by any sane person”.
Speaking with Vanguard, the Chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, Igbo Think Tank, Professor Madubuike Ezeibe, dismissed the plot as a huge joke taken too far.
He advised those behind the proposal to immediately jettison the idea as they might not be able to withstand the ripple effects.
Professor Ezeibe explained that Aba already has Eze who must not share his kingdom with a Fulani Emir as Enyimba City is not part of Northern Nigeria.
He cautioned against actions that could stoke ethnic tension and avoidable crisis.