Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Ukwa-Ngwa extraction in Abia State have thrown their weight behind the push for the creation of Aba State, while criticizing Governor Alex Otti for opposing the move.
The declaration was made during a high-powered stakeholders’ meeting held at the Obohia Ndoki residence of APC chieftain Comrade Benedict Godson in Ukwa East Local Government Area. The gathering had in attendance party stalwarts from all nine local government areas that make up the Ukwa-Ngwa bloc—namely Aba North, Aba South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Osisioma Ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West.
Their collective outrage followed Governor Otti’s recent comments at the 1999 Constitution review public hearing in Owerri, where he argued against the creation of new states on the grounds of economic non-viability, a position many in the Ukwa-Ngwa region interpreted as a subtle rejection of Aba State.
Chief Ebere Nwachukwu, former chairman of Isiala Ngwa South LGA and coordinator of the Ukwa-Ngwa APC Forum, said Governor Otti’s opposition was not surprising. He noted that historically, support for Aba State has rarely come from the Old Bende bloc. Nwachukwu also defended Prince Paul Ikonne, a former Executive Secretary of NALDA, who had publicly countered Otti’s stance.
“What Paul Ikonne is saying is the truth,” Nwachukwu asserted. “We condemn the backlash against him. No one can stop this movement but God. Ukwa-Ngwa APC stands firmly with Prince Ikonne, he spoke the true heart of our people.”
Revealing a personal history with Governor Otti, Nwachukwu, who once served as Director of Security under Otti between 2013 and 2015, added, “I know his position toward our people. It hasn’t changed.”
Adding his voice, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji, former chairman of Ukwa West LGA, emphasized the region’s wealth in natural resources. “Ukwa has oil and gas. That’s why they’re uncomfortable with an Aba State. They want to keep benefiting from our resources while leaving our land underdeveloped.”
He stressed that Aba is one of Nigeria’s most commercially vibrant cities, fully capable of sustaining itself as a state. “If they fear Abia won’t survive without Aba, they should focus on improving what remains. Aba is ready.”
Elder Godwin Nna, former chairman of Obingwa LGA, described the movement as a generational cause. “Ukwa began this, and Ngwa joined. It’s no longer a personal ambition, it’s a historic mission.”
He further urged leaders from the Old Bende bloc to consider rebranding the remaining part of the current Abia State as “Bende State” when Aba State becomes a reality. “It’s been done in other parts of the country. No one should be afraid, it can work for everyone.”
Chief Eruba Dimgba, Abia’s representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Secretary of the Forum, used the opportunity to praise President Bola Tinubu for approving a $3 billion fund for the reconstruction of the Eastern Railway Line. He described Tinubu as a leader with a clear vision for development, especially in the South-East.
