Governor Theodore Orji has been praised by associates as the man who liberated the state from what they describe as the bondage of the state to the family of his immediate predecessor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu.
Following the ‘liberation’ of the state, the governor is also being termed by associates as the liberator of the Ukwa Ngwa people who dominate the Abia South Senatorial Zone in the state and have never produced a governor for the state.
IT is in line with this messianic assignment that the governor has led the crusade to zone the governorship ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to Abia South.
“I have given a sense of belonging to the Ukwa/ Ngwa people to assert themselves. In every century, God brings out a person that comes to lay a foundation. It is my belief that once you lay a good foundation as how power will rotate as far as governorship is concerned. Once it is laid, it is going to be in the interest of Abia state,” the governor was once quoted as saying.
“No section will be marginalized in Abia. Ukwa/ Ngwa have never been governor, what is wrong in allowing them produce a governor? A lot of people from other zones have come to me to say, I want to be governor and I will tell them straight away this is my stand.
Insistence on power shift
“Equity demands that the right thing should be done. They may hate me but within me, I am convinced that I am doing the right thing,” the governor was also quoted as saying apparently in reference to rumours around the state that close associates of the governor including family members were opposed to the governor’s insistence on power shift to Abia South.
One ingredient of the rumour was the claim that some prominent stakeholders from Abia Central and Abia North were uncomfortable with the possible emergence of an Ngwa man as some of them expressed fears.
While the governor preached his message of power shift to Abia South, many of his followers including a prominent family member were said to have mobilised to throw up alternative candidates from outside Abia South.
It is not surprising that despite the insistence of the governor that his successor should come from Abia South, the emergence of strong aspirants from within Abia Central and Abia North has thrown up fears that the governor could be compelled by compatriots to relax his resolve on power shift.
Perhaps to assure the citizenry, Governor Orji has almost at every opportunity with Abia South stakeholders urged them to close ranks among themselves in order not to lose the opportunity being offered to them by the mainstream section of the PDP in the state.
“I want you people to help me, I don’t like if I convince people on this but when I come to this zone, I will start having problems. I will not like to have any problem in this zone. What we know is Ukwa/ Ngwa. It is open for you; go and contest. Any person who emerges as the guber candidate of our party from this zone, we are going to support that person. People should not be afraid because this is something that involves contest; you have to put in your best, your finances and everything you have. We have made a statement and it is in the best interest of the state”.
Several aspirants have as such emerged from Abia South in pursuit of the PDP ticket. Among the frontline aspirants to have declared are Senator Enyinninya Abaribe, Chief Friday Nwosu, Dr. Okeize Ikpeazu, Ambassador Okey Emuchay and Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma.
The initial pronouncement did not generate much controversy as only interested aspirants from outside Ukwa/Ngwa raised eyebrows over the governor’s and the party’s position on zoning. But down the line the zoning was narrowed down to only Ukwa/Ngwa people in Abia South senatorial district, excluding the Ngwas in Abia Central district.
This later decision sparked off serious controversy in the state as aspirants from the zone rejected the arrangement and questioned the meaning of Ukwa/Ngwa with out the Ngwas from Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Ngwa council areas. They claimed that any talk of Ngwa without Ngwas from Isiala Ngwa North and South makes no meaning.
This agitation is being spearheaded by Senator Nkechi Nwaogu and Dr. Alex Oti. They argued that if the governorship seat is being zoned to Ukwa/Ngwa, then the entire Ngwa people should be involved in a free and fair primary election to get the best. Notable traditional rulers from the area also protested the idea of excluding their people in the contest.
Joined in their protest is the only declared aspirant from Abia North, Dr. Uche Ogah, who maintains that, PDP as a party does not believe in zoning.
Chief Friday Nwosu
A lawyer by training, Friday Nwosu has of recent become a household name in the politics of Abia State. A former police officer, he has transformed into a grassroots politician and human rights activist and is described as a man with strong principles.
From Mgboko Umuoria in Obingwa Council Area, he is said to have fiercely battled former Governor Orji Kalu during the ‘Otu-Onu’ struggle when he proudly stood with Abaribe in the battle against the former governor.
His stance at that time endeared him to his people and part of that trust especially as one that cannot be compromised is the confidence that is believed to be propelling his present pursuit.
He is also said to be very accessible to the people and he has been reaching out to the political stake holders and is said to have a number high contacts in Abuja which may work in his favour.
Ambassador Okey Emuchay
Ambassador Emuchay is from Ukwa East and has recently declared his interest in the governorship race. An accomplished diplomat, Emuchay recently retired as the Consul General in South Africa to join in the race. The fact that he abandoned a promising diplomatic career to venture into the murky area of politics has aroused speculations of a high level backing for his effort.
Dr Okezie Ikpeazu
Okezie Ikpeazu is the deputy general manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency [ASEPA]. He is in charge cleaning up Aba and environs. Ikpeazu’s name recently came into the governorship race like a thunder and there were insinuations that he was the anointed. Not too long after, the government denied him and there are fears that the initial blitz of attention may work against him.
Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma
Acho Nwakanma, a biochemist from Umuorji Ohanze in Obingwa Local Government Area was a member of the House of Assembly who rose up to the position of deputy speaker before serving as deputy governor to former Governor Orji Kalu. Again, he also served as deputy governor to the present governor when he fell out with his former deputy, Chris Akomas in 2010.
A very close friend to Governor Orji, he is always around in any major government function.
He is presently Chairman of the Board of National Neuro Psychiatry Hospital, Enugu on the recommendation of the governor. He has declared his interest and has been consulting widely.
Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe
Senator Abaribe is an economist and a two term senator who has traversed the who at one time personified the ‘Otu-Onu’ [one term] slogan, which was the great struggle to stop Kalu from having a second term in 2003. He is credited with the political consciousness of Ngwa people and was at one time seen as the undisputed leader of the Ngwa people.
Perhaps due to his long political battles in the state, Senator Abaribe is said to possess one of the strongest political structures in the state, though a number of his ardent followers are alleged to have over time moved over to other political camps.
Few believe that Governor Orji would be passionate about Abaribe, but the senator has since the return of the governor to the PDP tried to defer to him. Abaribe is also counting on his relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan to provide a level playing field with which he can sail through.
Nwadiala Emeka Wogu,
Nwadiala Emeka Wogu, the minister of labour and productivity is perhaps the only one among those severally mentioned as possible contestants who has not formally declared. He is also said to be one of the most formidable on ground with a network and structure that only compares with that of Senator Abaribe.
Wogu’s advantages in the race include the closeness and confidence the governor and his family are said to regard him with. Some also remember that the minister worked under the governor when he was Chief of Staff to Governor Orji Kalu while he, Wogu was political adviser to the then governor.
Though he is yet to formally declare, Wogu has been the focus of much attention and expectation from political stakeholders who also see in him as a bridge between the expectations of the people of Abia South and the reassurance of other zones given that his maternal ancestry can be traced to Abia North.
It is remarkable that the people of Isikwuato recently conferred on him a chieftaincy title which has been said to put a mark of identity on him.
Besides the major aspirants from Abia South, a number of aspirants from other senatorial zones are also eying the ticket of the PDP.
Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, representing Abia Central, has over time raised her political profile and is pushing her ambition through the prism of the Abia Charter of Equity with the claim that she is from the other part of Abia that has yet to govern the state.
Dr. Alex Oti, the managing director of Diamond Bank who is claiming dual ancestry in Ngwa land and Arochukwu and Chief Uche Ogah, the managing director of Masters Energy are two men from Abia South who some believe could pull serious weight in the contest given their financial prowess.
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