Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Orji said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate would be a
credible politician worthy of peoples’ vote. The governor said he would
not impose any aspirant. He was also emphatic that he would not permit
any imposition by any stakeholder.
Mr. Charles Ajunwa
Few weeks ago, the governor maintained that his views had not changed. When critics alleged that he had already anointed a candidate, he dispelled the rumour. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, the governor said the candidate would emerge in a democratic primaries. Orji said no aspirant would be excluded from the process, adding that the state would not be under any family domination and idol worship.
“There was a time in the history of Abia State that nobody could become an ordinary councilor without worshiping an idol. After worshiping an idol, you then worship an individual and his family. Abia people may not have known what I did for them; my major achievement is the liberation of Abia State from idol worship and family domination,” he stressed.
However, the governor said the ruling party will adopt zoning for next year’s poll. This statement has implications for the contest. In fact, it has polarised the state into pro-zoning and anti-zoning forces.
In the last one month, the contest has assumed a new dimension. Aspirants have embarked on last minute consultations with stakeholders across the 17 councils areas. Some of them have been endorsed by various individuals and groups. Keen watchers of the Abia politics have described the state as a potential flashpoint, owing to the interplay of forces.
Sources said former Governor Orji Kalu and his supporters are challenging the governor to a duel. There is a plot to weaken him, ahead of the exercise. But, the governor is also gathering supporters to resist the onslaught. The entire South District is backing the governor, following his support for the rotational principle.
Haling the adoption of zoning, the leader of the Abia Democratic Movement, Prince Sonny Aku, said: “Let no none take Abia for granted. Power must shift and the next governor must come from Ukwa Ngwa.
“Those who had rule the state cannot come back through the back door through their crony. It will not work. The governor must not be disturbed or distracted. He must complete all his projects and be allowed to hand over to an Ukwa Ngua man. We will not sit down and fold our arms. We will not allow anybody to rubbish the governor. Any attack on the governor is an attack on Abias.”
Aku, a prominent businessman and community leader, added: “We will do everything legally to stop the attack on the governor and the confusion they want to create to deny the people of Nkwa Ngwa their right. Abia will go where the governor will go. Governor Orji has followers and Abia people are with him. In 2015, power shift to Ukwa Ngwa is non-negotiable. Anybody who wants to truncate this agenda should wait and see what will happen. Those who have skeletons in their pocket will be exposed. Abia people know the source of their wealth.”
But, apart from zoning, there are other factors that will shape the contest. These include the quality of aspirants, their popularity among stakeholders and delegates, financial strength and the influence of the governor, who is expected to hand over to a successor who has the ability to continue with the modest foundation laid by his administration.
Close associates of the governor insist that it would be a great disservice to the state, if any aspirant who has a link with past retrogressive forces succeeds him. In their view, another retrogressive successor may reverse the gains of the last seven and half years.
A PDP chieftain from Ohafia Council, Chief Kalu Asiegbu, said Abia cannot afford to return to another period of doom. “If I have my way, I will call on delegates to the primaries to shun any aspirant who held positions during the last administration between 1999 and 2007,” he said.
Also, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Sunday Agwu, said the state must not return to what he described as the years of locust. At a thanksgiving service organised for the Secretary to the Government (SSG), Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, at the Wesley Methodist Church, Umuahia, the cleric also reflected on zoning, saying that it is only meaningful, if it throws up a competent person. Turning to the governor, he said: “We have heard that your party has a zoning system. So, you intend to hand over to Ukwa/Ngwa indigenes. Your Excellency, our plea is that you should be careful about the person you are handing over to.
“We will not want to have a governor who is selfish, inaccessible, an idol worshipper, not compassionate, parochial, clannish and inhumane, or a governor who does not like to support the work of God.”
Aspirants eyeing Orji’s job include Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mr. Friday Nwosu, a lawyer, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Mr. Marc Wabara, Mr. Okey Emuchay, Mr. Uche Ogah, Chief Acho Nwakanma and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti.
Mr. Friday Nwosu
Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika
Senator Nkechi Nwaogu
Mr. Marc Wabara
Mr. Okey Emuchay
Nwosu has been endorsed by party chieftains, monarchs, religious leaders, businessmen, women groups, youths and non-indigenes, who are fascinated by his hard work, accomplishments and integrity.
Nwosu hails from Obingwa Council. He is popular across the three districts. He is a staunch supporter of the governor. Observers see him as a front runner, a bridge builder, who is not in the race to settle scores, a loyal party man and an aspirant who does not have links with previous rulers of the state. Nwosu is also perceived as a non-controversial figure.
Declaring his ambition in Umuahia, he said: “I’m in the race for the governorship position in Abia State, not just to run, but to build on the foundation laid by Governor Theodore Orji, who has laid a solid foundation for the State. As a legal practitioner of 22 years standing, I have the capacity, vision and commitment to take the state to the next level.
“I offer my wealth of experience to serve and assure you I will not disappoint the people of Abia State. If I have any plans to deceive Abia people when I become governor, let God stop me, but if I have good intentions for the people of the state better than other aspirants, let God make me governor to the glory of His name. I vow to serve God and humanity selflessly.”
Nwosu urged the people to support Orji. “Abia state has witnessed several administrations in the past, yet, it has no secretariat, conference centre and other structures. Ministries were scattered around the state capital while the Government House is rented. It was only during Governor Orji’s tenure that things began to change for the state.”
Abaribe, who is in the race for the second time, is a former deputy governor. He was shoved aside as the number two citizen under former Governor Kalu. He went to the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). When he returned to the PDP, he bounced back as a senator. In the Upper Chamber, he is the spokesman.
Like Nwosu, the senator is favoured by zoning. Besides, he said that he is the most qualified for the front seat, having served as the deputy governor. Many groups and associations have also endorsed Abaribe.
Nwaogu is the only woman in the race. She is an Amazon. She is popular in her district. But, she is not favoured by zoning.
The senator is active in the Senate. He is also in touch with the grassroots. On regular occasions, he has organised empowerment programmes for constituents, who have applauded her kind gestures. Nwaogwu has supporters. But, it appears that she may not be favoured, owing to gender consideration.
Nwakanma is a seasoned banker. He is popular in the financial sector. He is also perceived as a man of integrity. But, he is new in politics.
Mr. Charles Ajunwa
Few weeks ago, the governor maintained that his views had not changed. When critics alleged that he had already anointed a candidate, he dispelled the rumour. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, the governor said the candidate would emerge in a democratic primaries. Orji said no aspirant would be excluded from the process, adding that the state would not be under any family domination and idol worship.
“There was a time in the history of Abia State that nobody could become an ordinary councilor without worshiping an idol. After worshiping an idol, you then worship an individual and his family. Abia people may not have known what I did for them; my major achievement is the liberation of Abia State from idol worship and family domination,” he stressed.
However, the governor said the ruling party will adopt zoning for next year’s poll. This statement has implications for the contest. In fact, it has polarised the state into pro-zoning and anti-zoning forces.
In the last one month, the contest has assumed a new dimension. Aspirants have embarked on last minute consultations with stakeholders across the 17 councils areas. Some of them have been endorsed by various individuals and groups. Keen watchers of the Abia politics have described the state as a potential flashpoint, owing to the interplay of forces.
Sources said former Governor Orji Kalu and his supporters are challenging the governor to a duel. There is a plot to weaken him, ahead of the exercise. But, the governor is also gathering supporters to resist the onslaught. The entire South District is backing the governor, following his support for the rotational principle.
Haling the adoption of zoning, the leader of the Abia Democratic Movement, Prince Sonny Aku, said: “Let no none take Abia for granted. Power must shift and the next governor must come from Ukwa Ngwa.
“Those who had rule the state cannot come back through the back door through their crony. It will not work. The governor must not be disturbed or distracted. He must complete all his projects and be allowed to hand over to an Ukwa Ngua man. We will not sit down and fold our arms. We will not allow anybody to rubbish the governor. Any attack on the governor is an attack on Abias.”
Aku, a prominent businessman and community leader, added: “We will do everything legally to stop the attack on the governor and the confusion they want to create to deny the people of Nkwa Ngwa their right. Abia will go where the governor will go. Governor Orji has followers and Abia people are with him. In 2015, power shift to Ukwa Ngwa is non-negotiable. Anybody who wants to truncate this agenda should wait and see what will happen. Those who have skeletons in their pocket will be exposed. Abia people know the source of their wealth.”
But, apart from zoning, there are other factors that will shape the contest. These include the quality of aspirants, their popularity among stakeholders and delegates, financial strength and the influence of the governor, who is expected to hand over to a successor who has the ability to continue with the modest foundation laid by his administration.
Close associates of the governor insist that it would be a great disservice to the state, if any aspirant who has a link with past retrogressive forces succeeds him. In their view, another retrogressive successor may reverse the gains of the last seven and half years.
A PDP chieftain from Ohafia Council, Chief Kalu Asiegbu, said Abia cannot afford to return to another period of doom. “If I have my way, I will call on delegates to the primaries to shun any aspirant who held positions during the last administration between 1999 and 2007,” he said.
Also, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Sunday Agwu, said the state must not return to what he described as the years of locust. At a thanksgiving service organised for the Secretary to the Government (SSG), Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, at the Wesley Methodist Church, Umuahia, the cleric also reflected on zoning, saying that it is only meaningful, if it throws up a competent person. Turning to the governor, he said: “We have heard that your party has a zoning system. So, you intend to hand over to Ukwa/Ngwa indigenes. Your Excellency, our plea is that you should be careful about the person you are handing over to.
“We will not want to have a governor who is selfish, inaccessible, an idol worshipper, not compassionate, parochial, clannish and inhumane, or a governor who does not like to support the work of God.”
Aspirants eyeing Orji’s job include Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mr. Friday Nwosu, a lawyer, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Mr. Marc Wabara, Mr. Okey Emuchay, Mr. Uche Ogah, Chief Acho Nwakanma and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti.
Mr. Friday Nwosu
Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika
Senator Nkechi Nwaogu
Mr. Marc Wabara
Mr. Okey Emuchay
Nwosu has been endorsed by party chieftains, monarchs, religious leaders, businessmen, women groups, youths and non-indigenes, who are fascinated by his hard work, accomplishments and integrity.
Nwosu hails from Obingwa Council. He is popular across the three districts. He is a staunch supporter of the governor. Observers see him as a front runner, a bridge builder, who is not in the race to settle scores, a loyal party man and an aspirant who does not have links with previous rulers of the state. Nwosu is also perceived as a non-controversial figure.
Declaring his ambition in Umuahia, he said: “I’m in the race for the governorship position in Abia State, not just to run, but to build on the foundation laid by Governor Theodore Orji, who has laid a solid foundation for the State. As a legal practitioner of 22 years standing, I have the capacity, vision and commitment to take the state to the next level.
“I offer my wealth of experience to serve and assure you I will not disappoint the people of Abia State. If I have any plans to deceive Abia people when I become governor, let God stop me, but if I have good intentions for the people of the state better than other aspirants, let God make me governor to the glory of His name. I vow to serve God and humanity selflessly.”
Nwosu urged the people to support Orji. “Abia state has witnessed several administrations in the past, yet, it has no secretariat, conference centre and other structures. Ministries were scattered around the state capital while the Government House is rented. It was only during Governor Orji’s tenure that things began to change for the state.”
Abaribe, who is in the race for the second time, is a former deputy governor. He was shoved aside as the number two citizen under former Governor Kalu. He went to the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). When he returned to the PDP, he bounced back as a senator. In the Upper Chamber, he is the spokesman.
Like Nwosu, the senator is favoured by zoning. Besides, he said that he is the most qualified for the front seat, having served as the deputy governor. Many groups and associations have also endorsed Abaribe.
Nwaogu is the only woman in the race. She is an Amazon. She is popular in her district. But, she is not favoured by zoning.
The senator is active in the Senate. He is also in touch with the grassroots. On regular occasions, he has organised empowerment programmes for constituents, who have applauded her kind gestures. Nwaogwu has supporters. But, it appears that she may not be favoured, owing to gender consideration.
Nwakanma is a seasoned banker. He is popular in the financial sector. He is also perceived as a man of integrity. But, he is new in politics.
Preview
Preview
POLITICAL CAUSUS: Battle for Abia Government House In 2015
No fewer than 10 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants are warming up for primaries in Abia State. Governor Theodore Orji is pushing for power shift to Ukwa Ngwa, Abia South Senatorial District. But, some stakeholders are calling for a level-playing field for contenders. Who becomes the flag bearer? CHRISTIAN IFY OZURUIGBO of our Political Desk examines the scramble for power in the Southeast state.
The succession battle started last year. At the ceremony marking the 22nd anniversary of the creation of Abia State, Governor Theodore Orji reflected on governance and peoples’ expectations. He told stakeholders in Umuahia, the state capital, that the next governor would inherit some challenges. He highlighted some of the virtues expected of his successor.