I have followed all the arguments both offline and online on who will succeed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu come 2023, while the Ukwa la Ngwa group are insisting that power should remain with them through their Umunneato brothers of Abia central to complete 16 years the old bende did, Abia North senatorial zone is insisting that the equity arrangement which has done its full cycle via senatorial zones should start from where it began in 1999.
The Isuikwuato camp of Abia North is crying marginalization and is pleading that in Abia North they are the ones whose turn it is to govern Abia as enshrined in the Abia charter of equity.
Recently, Ikwuano /Umuahia came out with a powerful communique to declare their interest in the no1 seat of the state come 2023, while Ukwa people are gently whispering into the ears of any one who cares to listen that they deserve to be given a chance to govern since their Ngwa brothers have done 4 years.
While the political gamesmanship is ongoing, it’s extremely sad and unfortunate that none of the groups agitating to rule the state come 2023 are interested in the primary focus of leadership which is, Welfare of the Citizenry, provisioning of affordable Health Care, Education, Security, infrastructure, job creation, economy and the wellbeing of the aged, the weak, vulnerable and the poor.
Disappointingly even those who parade themselves as activists and social critics pretending to be agitating for good governance whose everyday hobby is to criticize every move of the government have also joined the clannish agitation and the demand for their zone, clans’ man or benefactors to be allowed to govern the state, none of them is talking about ideology, capacity or even qualification.
As a student of practical politics, I am fully aware that the principle of zoning was introduced not to appease any group or section but to promote cohesion and a sense of belonging to citizens from all parts of the state and it is predicated on the same central organizing principle, which is, political inclusivity and cohesion in a secular, multi-clan, multi-religious and multi-cultural society, in order to achieve fair and equitable representation, but sadly our agitation is gearing towards tearing down the fabrics of unity that binds us as a people.
If truly we chose to stand on the platform of truth, Governor Ikpeazu has really repositioned the economic and infrastructural face of Abia and all we need is for the coming administration to consolidate and improve on the existing achievements of the present government, there is hardly any part of Abia state today that one will deny the existence of his infrastructural footprints, he may not have done it all and he cannot do it all, that’s why Government is a continuum, but he has laid the solid economic and infrastructural foundation needed for the growth of the state across every sector, I can excuse your loathe for the person of Governor Ikpeazu, it’s even your right to abominate him with all the bile in your system Afterall it’s you that is receiving the internal hurt, irrespective of the differences you want to share with him, be it political or personal, one thing you cannot take away from him is his vision, passion, dynamism and creativity in governance.
While I recognize that there are those who have chosen to blind their minds and close their eyes very tightly wherever they see Dr. Ikpeazu’s infrastructural imprints because of their bitterness and political leaning, every well-meaning Abian, even those in the opposition knows that Governor Ikpeazu means well and has performed.
Taking a cue from our infrastructural and economic trajectory one can without equivocation say his administration has undertaken so many audacious projects, which space may not permit me to highlight all, The Geometric power project in Aba, The Osisioma flyover, the recovery of long abandoned roads such as Osusu, Omuma, Ngwa and portharcourt roads the reconstruction of Aba road in Umuahia, Abiriba/Nkporo Rd, the rebuilding of Ariaria, the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company (ENASCO), Ehere Road, Aba/Owerri Rd, Milverton Avenue,Ukaegbu Rd, Faulks Road,Osokwa Road,Enyimba mall, Egege Road just to mention but a few amongst so many other road projects completed and ongoing scattered across the state.
Many may hinge their arguments on the duration in realizing some of the projects, but one thing is certain those projects are there on ground and not on paper and Dr. Ikpeazu had repeatedly said he won’t leave any project started by him unfinished before his exit from the office.
With the tenure of Dr. Okezie Chibuikem Victor Ikpeazu, winding down, a lot of people have indicated interest in taking over the seat of government giving rise to the argument of who and where the next governor is supposed to hail from and it has given rise to a clear conflict of interest amongst the political class.
But the question remains who is the Governor Abia needs come may 29th, 2023, and where is he supposed to come from?
To be continued……………………..
Uche Aguoru
Writes From Umuahia
The Governor Abians Should Elect Come 2023 By Uche Aguoru
