As the tussle for the governorship position of Abia State in 2023 heats up, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has stated that he is backing Prof. Uche Eleazar Ikonne from Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area to become the next Governor because justice, equity and political stability largely support the emergence of the next Governor of the State from the Isiala Ngwa area of Abia Central senatorial district.
The Governor who stated this while receiving traditional rulers and political stakeholders of Isiala Ngwa North LGA at Government Lodge, Aba, explained that the emergence of a Governor from the other half of Abia Central is in accordance with the spirit and letters of the Abia Charter of Equity.
He said; “The Abia Charter of Equity was entered into in 1981 between the old Umuahia and Aba Senatorial Zones with the recognition of Isuikwuato as a District. While the old Umuahia Senatorial Zone represents the entire old Bende of today covering the entire Abia North Senatorial District and the Umuahia, half of Abia Central; the old Aba Senatorial Zone represents the entire Old Aba Division covering today’s Abia South Senatorial District and the Ngwa half of Abia Central.
“While the old Umuahia Senatorial Zone has produced two consecutive Governors spanning 16 straight years, the old Aba Senatorial Zone is just about completing their initial 8 years, and as such, it is only just for the old Aba Zone to take another shot at the Governorship seat to bring it at par with their brothers from old Umuahia zone. The choice of a running mate from the old Isuikwuato District which is today’s Isuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs puts the Abia Charter of Equity in full swing.”
Ikpeazu noted that the election of his successor from Isiala Ngwa in 2023 will pave the way for the completion of the full swing of the Charter of Equity allowing the rotation to commence again from Abia North, which gives every section of the state a proper sense of belonging.
He stated that the choice of Ikonne was as a result of his proven track record of experience in administration and public service and tasked the people of Isiala Ngwa North council to seize the opportunity and expressed confidence in Ikonne’s ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people
Ikpeazu also stated that while Osisioma Ngwa LGA is part of Abia Central, it is unjust for his successor to come from Osisioma Ngwa LGA because Osisioma Ngwa LGA and Obingwa LGA are in the same federal Constituency.
He said that producing his successor from Osisioma Ngwa LGA is equal to getting his successor from his home LGA, Obingwa.
Ikpeazu insisted that no other equation will justly provide an equitable explanation to the question of management of power rotation in the State and urged the people to elect Ikonne as the next Governor of Abia State.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph Nwabeke told Ikpeazu that the people of Isiala Ngwa North LGA are grateful to him for his positive disposition towards them and assured him that since the PDP has chosen their candidate from Isiala Ngwa, the people will do the needful.
Speaking for each of the 4 clans in Isiala Ngwa North council area; – Ntigha, Ngwaukwu, Nsulu and Nwaoha; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Christopher Enweremadu; Commissioner for Works, Barrister Bob Chiedozie Ogu and Chief Gaius Anyanwu told Ikpeazu that the people of Isiala Ngwa North fully understand the challenge facing them in the 2023 elections and assured that they will rise to the challenge to ensure that Ikonne emerges the next Governor of the state in 2023.
In his remarks, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Prof. Uche Ikonne thanked the Governor and assured that when elected, he will build on the foundations he laid and also work towards uniting the state and improving the lot of the people.
