The Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano has reacted to a recent ultimatum issued by members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly requesting his government to reverse the change in the name of Abakaliki Street in Awka, a move that has generated heated controversy between both states.
The Ebonyi state House of Assembly had recently called on Obiano to reverse his decision to rename the Abakaliki Street or risk all streets and monuments named after Anambra towns and her people in Ebonyi state being changed.
Obiano, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information, Mr C.Don Adinuba, said the Ebonyi Assembly cannot issue orders to a state outside its jurisdiction.
Recall that the renaming of the street in Awka had caused the Ebonyi state governor, Engr. Dave Umahi to send a high-powered delegation led by the state deputy governor to meet top officials of the Obiano government to solicit a reversal of the change.
Reacting to the ultimatum from the Ebonyi legislature, the Anambra Information commissioner said the Ebonyi assembly was acting without facts, adding that Anambra state does not intend to enter into a media war with any of her sister states, saying it was absolutely unnecessary.
He said both states were sister states, and that any altercation between them was not necessary.
Adinuba however explained that Obiano graciously removed the name of Ebonyi from a place that is inhabited by all manner of people like commercial sex workers and people doing menial jobs, noting that the former Abakiliki street was a dungeon, a slum with shanties and illegal structures.
“The Governor moved the street to a more decent and strategic and longer street, that stretched from the Parktonia Hotels located along the Enugu Onitsha Expressway and linked the old Abakiliki Street, which is now Club Street,” he said.
