Chinweuba Anyaragbu 


The latent and obvious marginalisation of Ikwuano LGA on Saturday attracted total condemnation from the youth activist and Chairman of National Youths Council of Nigeria, NYCN,  Amb. Chinweuba Anyaragbu who advocated that Ikwuano should be ceded to Akwa Ibom State.


"I was shocked to my bone marrows to see  the Deputy Speaker of  Abia State House of Assembly emerge from Umuahia North LGA rather from our LGA, Ikwuano.  Am not speaking from a sense of entitlement, no Sir!  But after Umuahia North has produced two Speakers of the House, it's fair, just and equitable to concede the Deputy Speakership to Ikwuano. They do not even have to lobby for it.


"What I see playing out even in this period they call a new era is the continued marginalisation of our people. But me, I won't be part of it, no, no, am already preparing my mind to the neighboring LGA in Akwa Ibom where I will fully identify and play their style of politics. And I am hereby calling on our youths to key into the campaign for Ikwuano LGA to be ceded to Akwa Ibom State. The arrangement will work in our favour 100% under the present dispensation. First, with the 'uncommon former governor' as the Senate President, am sure the Federal attention which has been denied us since 1999 will finally be given to us. Am sure Akpabio would be proud to commission a well built  Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road. They have been playing politics with us on this road for how long now?  


"Second, even if we are in the minority, we would still get our statutory rights, plus economic development. But here, we are not given anything, even when they want to give us a Commissionership, we are given an  insignificant ministry.


"From all I am seeing, the 24 years of Ikwuano marginalisation may even be worse under Alex Otti. Why? Otti has appointed 22 Special Advisers and heads of a few parastatals;  And now the Principal officers of the House of Assembly have emerged. Why are Ndi Ikwuano missing in the line up? Why? Didn't  Ndi Ikwuano vote Alex Otti massively in 2015. In this election didn't Ndi Ikwuano also vote Alex Otti and LP massively? Why are we being relegated to the background? Why?",  youths leader queried.


He affirmed that rather than remain as part of the decoration, it is better he be counted as a minority in the nearby Akwa Ibom State even as he explained that he is not a member of the LP.