The first and second civilian Governors of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi and Senator Sam Egwu, have expressed dissatisfaction over the renaming of Ebonyi Airport from Muhammadu Buhari to Chuba Okadigbo Airport.

According to them, Okadigbo never contributed to solving the problems of the Ebonyi people.

Chief Elechi stated this during the epoch-making occasion of the celebration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary and the 27th Anniversary of the Creation of the State.

According to Elechi, who spoke on behalf of the founding fathers, Buhari assisted them during the problems and provided security during the struggle for the creation of the state.

He, however, called on the federal government to rename the airport after the late Senator Offia Nwali, an Ebonyian and the first black man to obtain a PhD in Computer and Analytical Studies from the United States of America.

“Ebonyi people are not happy to hear our new airport being called Chuba Okadigbo Airport. Chuba Okadigbo is a great Nigerian, but he is not known in Ebonyi State, and neither will Ebonyi people say this is what he did for them.”

“When I was Secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Okadigbo was vying for the Senate. We were friendly. All I remember is that he used to visit me at 5 Igboeze Street, Enugu, and we would sit over a bottle of brandy until the bottle was empty.”

“We didn’t talk about Ebonyi people, their problems, or their solutions. Understandably, General Muhammadu Buhari knew our problems.”

“When he was the Brigade Major in Abakaliki, he gave us the pass that enabled us to go to Ogoja to plead our case. He assisted us to an extent with security personnel over what we were doing to create Ebonyi State.”

“We love him, and it was proper to name the airport after him. But since he didn’t accept it, we think the airport should be named after someone else.

“That airport is less than 10 km to the primary school where Offia Nwali made his marks as a student; that airport is less than 10 km to the road and the house of Dr Offia Nwali.”

“We think it will be more appropriate to name the airport after him, and that is the request I am making on behalf of the founding fathers and the people of the Ebonyi central zone,” he said.”

On his part, Dr Sam Egwu, who condemned the renaming of Abakaliki Street in Anambra State, urged Governor Nwifuru to rename Awka Street in Abakaliki.

Meanwhile, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, the Member Representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, assured the Ex-Governors and founding fathers of sponsoring a bill with the support of the National Assembly to ensure that the airport is named after the late Senator Offia Nwali.

Solsix:
Ebonyi people and the cry of marginalization is 5&6. They prefer the airport to named after a Fulani man rather than after an Igbo man. After people will ask why are igbos segregation against ebonyians.

Wujio:
Igbos and long term brotherly hatred

kettykin:
Please before commenting, the source of the story is tribune newspapers. Those who know , know

Ebubu:
Nigeria oppresses Igbo people and Igbo people oppress Ebonyi and Abakaliki people.

Tit for tat. Do me another person do you.

Ebubu:
Nigeria oppresses Igbo people and Igbo people oppress Ebonyi and Abakaliki people.

Tit for tat. Do me another person do you.

Solsix:
Ebonyi people and the cry of marginalization is 5&6. They prefer the airport to named after a Fulani man rather than after an Igbo man. After people will ask why are igbos segregation against ebonyians.

Solsix:

Nobody is oppressing any Ebonyi, rather they feel oppress or can you give me instance where other Igbo states have oppressed ebonyians?

jmoore:
Did they talk when it was named after Buhari?

Wujio:
Igbos and long term brotherly hatred

Ebubu:


Thank Goodness Nigeria is doing to SE people what they constantly keep doing to us.

Our God is not dead. Our oppressors are oppressed and it is a delight.

Drfernandez:


Yes, Igbos and long-term brotherly hatred; no wonder the Igbos are the ones that opposed the renaming of University of Lagos that is located in Igboland after the late MKO Abiola from Ogun state that is also a state located in Igboland.

The hatred you and your types has for the Igbos will kill you lots if you do not take time.

Wujio:



I'm not yoruba and will mever be.


Focus on the content and save yourself the hypocrisy. Speak about Martin Elechi and Sam Egwus statement concerning the renaming of the airport and dont deflect talking thrash

Wujio:



I am not igbo but i challenge the claim that igbos oppress Ebonyi in todays day and age. Please itemize five ways current igbo crop oppresses Ebonyi in 2020-2023

BoldBrainz:


This is unnecessary.

I am a Cross Riverian and we're closer to Ebonyi people than the rest of the Igbos. I can say with confidence that Igbos hugely undermine their Ebonyi kin. They see them to be "not Igbo enough" and they've always made that abundantly obvious in their dealings. It's the prime reason David Umahi always made it a point of duty to do things differently from other Igbo governors because he always maintained that the interest of his people in Ebonyi supercedes that of Ndi-Igbo.

Una dey treat Ebonyi like adopted children.

Drfernandez:


Does it matter whether you are a Yoruba or not. There is nothing with the demands of the Sam Egwu and Martin Elechi. Only foolish people hate truth.

jmoore:
Did they talk when it was named after Buhari?

BoldBrainz:


This is unnecessary.

I am a Cross Riverian and we're closer to Ebonyi people than the rest of the Igbos. I can say with confidence that Igbos hugely undermine their Ebonyi kin. They see them to be "not Igbo enough" and they've always made that abundantly obvious in their dealings. It's the prime reason David Umahi always made it a point of duty to do things differently from other Igbo governors because he always maintained that the interest of his people in Ebonyi supercedes that of Ndi-Igbo.

Una dey treat Ebonyi like adopted siblings.

Wujio:



List five ways igbos undermine Ebonyi people between 1998 and 2023. I am listening

BoldBrainz:


Scroll back up. Someone else perfectly answered this question. It's too fine a morning for unnecessary repetitions.

BoldBrainz:


They did not talk and they told you exactly why. Obviously, Ebonyi people have benefitted more from Buhari's goodwill than they have from Chuba Okadigbo.

Wujio:



I wont descend to your level. If you consider youself any close to the title in front of your moniker, debate issues with superior arguement.


I only demanded such intellecutual arguement and you call me foolish and the higher mortal. Shame on you

Wujio:



I wont. List them here between 2020 and 2023

Drfernandez:



Once more, only foolish people hate truth, and only a foolish person will take an offence for being called what he is. Come on, get out of my site.