Abia State Governorship Contenders In Intense Lobbying

The 2015 Abia governorship race seems to be generating enough tension across the state. The race also appears to be between the Abia-North senatorial district and the Ukwa/ Ngwa political bloc. The recent pronouncement by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party that it had zoned its governorship ticket to the Abia-South senatorial district has sparked off controversy. 

Before now the Ukwa/Ngwa region comprising six local government areas from Abia South and three of their kinsmen councils in Abia Central zone had jointly pursued the agitation for power shift in 2015. But the insistence of the PDP that Abia-South and not Ukwa/Ngwa nation would produce the next governor has since put the hitherto united kinsmen at loggerheads.

All three Ngwa councils in Abia Central – Isialngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma claim that they are the traditional head of the Ngwa nation, and should not be excluded from the race, while their kinsmen in Abia South argue that since the incumbent is from the same Abia-Central senatorial district, though from the Umuahia/Ikwuano divide, allowing them to join the fray negates the principle of equity and justice.

Since the creation of Abia State, power has always domiciled in Abia North and Abia Central zones. At the beginning of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, ex- Governor Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia North came on board and held sway for eight years. In 2007, the incumbent governor from Abia Central succeeded him, and Abia South insists that it should be allowed to take its turn in 2015 in the spirit of equity, a postulation the leadership of the ruling PDP has endorsed.

However, political observers see zoning as a decision capable of destroying the PDP if not properly handled. Already it seems to have polarised the party as the anti-zoning forces in the PDP are seen as rebels in certain quarters.

The audacity of the PDP aspirants outside Abia South who insist on contesting contrary to the party’s decision is interpreted by some as disloyalty both to the governor and the party’s hierarchy. But the affected aspirants do not seem to be jolted.

Beyond zoning, the antecedence of the governorship aspirants differentiates them and gives indication of how far each of them can go.

UCHE Ogah

Uche Ogah is from Onuaku Uturu in Isuikwuato council of Abia North senatorial zone, and a strong financier of the PDP in the state. The young politician is arguably the richest business tycoon in Abia. His entry into politics came as a surprise to many. It is believed that his accomplishments in the private sector would be his selling point as a governorship aspirant.

He is one of the most popular among the aspirants and his support base cuts across all classes of people in society especially the masses. He has also wormed his way into the hearts of stakeholders from the Ukwa/Ngwa bloc who now openly and secretly campaign for him against their kinsmen. He is the only aspirant with a functional campaign office in Umuahia, the state capital.

NKECHI Nwaogu

Senator Nkechi Nwaogu representing Abia Central is the only female aspirant so far in the Abia governorship race. She hails from Osisioma one of the three Ngwa councils in the zone. She migrated to the Senate in 2007 where she has served for two tenures after serving for one tenure in the House of Representatives in 2003.

She is also very popular in the state. The senator has positively affected many lives in her constituency through her empowerment programmes. She is among the serious contenders and has since informed the PDP leadership in the state of her ambition, and has subsequently declared her intention to contest.

But zoning is a major setback to her ambition. Also a cold war is suspected to have ensued between her and the Abia first family as she hardly puts up appearance in any state function in recent times. Long before now, she had thought she would simply swap position with Orji in 2015 but after the PDP’s position on zoning was made public she felt she was the target.

ALEX Otti

Alex Otti is the current Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank. He recently indicated interest in the Abia governorship race and wants to contest on the platform of the PDP. He hails from Arochukwu in Abia North. But shortly before his governorship ambition became obvious, the monarchs in Ngwa land at a grand civic reception organised for him declared him a bonafide son of Ngwa land.

Although he has yet to declare publicly as he keeps saying he is still consulting, he is believed to be one of the serious contenders for the post. He also has the deep pocket to finance the project. He has the support of monarchs especially those from the Ngwa divide in Abia Central as well as few stakeholders.

But his major hurdle is the zoning of the governorship ticket to Abia-South by his party. Since his own Ngwa also falls within Abia-Central that currently holds the power, zoning proponents argue that it negates the principles of equity for the next governor to emerge from the same zone with the incumbent.

ERIC Nwakanma

Eric Nwakanma is not a debutant in Abia politics. He is a former Deputy Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, and two-time former Deputy Governor – first to ex-Governor Orji Uzor Kalu; and the incumbent Orji. The Umuorji Ohanze, Obingwa council – born politician is known for his absolute loyalty. The 56 year- old biochemist is currently the Chairman, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu. In 2007, after serving out his term as Deputy Governor under Kalu, he aspired to go to the Senate but was humiliated by the incumbent Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. He returned to a private life but in 2010 he was appointed deputy governor again by Orji following the impeachment of ex- Deputy Governor Chris Akomas.

Nwakanma was dropped by Orji in 2011 on constitutional grounds that he had been sworn in twice as deputy governor. He, however, maintains a strong relationship with Orji who was instrumental to his current appointment. Rumours are rife that he is Orji’s anointed candidate apparently because of his absolute loyalty. But Orji has always denied the speculation saying he has no preferred candidate.

ENYINANNYA Abaribe

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was a Deputy Governor to Kalu who was later impeached when he took exception to Kalu’s style of leadership. He later contested for the Senate in 2007 where he has served for two terms. The Senate Committee Chairman on Information ranks among the strong men of Abia politics. His ability to humiliate Nwakanma in 2007 despite all the support to the latter from the state government added to his reputation as a political colossus especially in his Abia South senatorial zone.

Interestingly too, the zoning arrangement is an added advantage to his ambition. He also has the federal connection, experience, and strong will to deliver if elected. He commands enormous followership among youths in his zone but not across the state.

OKEY Emuchay

Okey Emuchay is the immediate – past Nigeria Consular General to South Africa. He hails from Ukwa, and a strong member of the PDP. His career as a diplomat spans for 31 years. He said if elected, he would build on the legacies of his late father Dick Emuchay the former Chairman, Civil Service Commission of the defunct Eastern Region. His very wealthy family background, sound education, and diplomatic experience put him at advantage. He also has a number of kingmakers and political heavy weights in the Abia politics as supporters.

MARK Wabara

Mark Wabara is the immediate younger brother of former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara. He hails from Ndoki in Ukwa East council. He has also formally joined the race. The Wabaras are no strangers to Abia politics, and the young Wabara who was also instrumental to his brother’s emergence as a senator in 2003 hopes to leverage on the ex- Senate President’s connections and political structures.

ASIFORO Okere.

Asiforo Okere is the current Deputy Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, and member representing Ukwa East constituency. The three-time seasoned lawmaker is rumoured to be under pressure by his people to join the fray. Okere commands the respect of his colleagues who see him as “Mr. Integrity”. He also enjoys a very cordial relationship with the Abia first family.

OKAY Nwosu

Mr. Okay Nwosu, a lawyer by profession, hails from Obingwa. He is believed to have strong link with Aso Rock through his bosom friend, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. But following the entry of other eminently qualified aspirants in the race, Nwosu seems to be losing some of his former supporters. He may act as a spoiler for his kinsman, Nwakanma, except they strike a truce before the primaries.

OKEZIE Ikpeazu

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu also hails from Obingwa. He was little know in the political landscape until early last year when he was appointed by Orji as the Deputy General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency.

Shortly after his appointment, the rumour mills had it that he had been anointed by the governor as his successor

EMEKA Wogu

Chief Emeka Wogu is the Minister for Labour and Productivity. He is from Aba commercial city, the economic honey pot of Abia State. He is rumoured to be nursing the governorship ambition on the platform of the PDP but he has yet to declare his intension. His closeness to Aso Rock may be an advantage should he decide to finally join the race.

AZUBUIKE Ihejirika

Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.) is the immediate past Chief of Army Staff. He is from Isiukwuato in Abia North. He is among those believed to be angling for the PDP ticket. It is also rumoured that his instrumentality to the crushing of kidnappers who once held Abia to ransom will be rewarded with the governorship seat. Those wooing him for the race believe he has the experience and contacts both local and international to reposition Abia. But the presence of Ogah from his same council area seems to pose a serious threat to his ambition as Ogah seems to be more acceptable to the people.

culled from punch

*only one man/woman can win and i wonder who it will be!