Prominent leaders from Abia North Senatorial District under the aegis of Abia North Leaders of Thoughts (ANLT), have raised alarm over what its termed ‘gang up against gubernatorial candidates from Abia North Senatorial District’ in the forthcoming 2023 governorship election in Abia North.
The group in a statement signed on Thursday by ESV Olekanma (Umunneochi), Dr. Idika Kalu (Ohafia), Pastor Caleb Awa (Arochukwu), Chief Uche Amadi (Bende), Rev. Ikwuagwu James (Isikwuato), accused leaders of Ukwa la Ngwa bloc of Abia State of frustrating power sharing arrangements among the three senatorial districts in the state, by ganging up against candidates from Abia North such as Dr. Uche Ogah, Prof Greg Ibe and Etigwe Uwa SAN leaving only Mascot Uzor Kalu of the Action Peoples Party (APP) as the only viable candidate in the race from the senatorial district.
The leaders said Appeal Court judgement against Greg Ibe and Etigwe Uwa (SAN) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) coupled with the Supreme Court judgement against Dr. Uche Ogah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a grand conspiracy to frustrate the senatorial district.
The leaders however warned that they won’t watch other zones snatch power away from them, vowing to do everything possible to make sure Abia North is not denied their right.
“With total dismay, we have received the Appeal Court judgement ruling on the governorship primary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State which had four Abia North sons namely: Prof. Greg Ibe, Etigwe Uwa SAN, Chikwe Udensi and General Ijoma as aspirants. The Court judgement nullifying the APGA primary coupled with similar Supreme Court judgement against Dr. Uche Ogah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a grand plot by Ukwa Ngwa people to continue ruling the state beyond 2023.”
The leaders insisted that the rotation and zoning formula of the State must be respected, as it is the turn of Abia North to produce the next governor of the State.
They maintained that the palpable tension existing within the State’s political atmosphere was needless since history supports their insistence on rotation of the 2023 governorship seat to Abia North senatorial zone.
The leaders said power returning to Abia North was sacrosanct, noting that it is the only way to ensure peace, justice and fairness in the State.
According to them, Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia North governed the State for 8 years and handed over to Theodore Orji, from Abia Central Senatorial zone, who also did 8 years and handed over to Victor Ikpeazu from Abia South Senatorial zone in 2015, whose 8years tenure would expire on May 29, 2023 and Ikpeazu is supposed to hand over to a candidate from Abia North to sustain the arrangement.
“Having witnessed this tradition persist, it has gone beyond mere politics, to a phenomenal entrenchment of power rotation within the political ecosystem of Abia State.
“For equity, justice and fairness, it is expedient that the governorship seat is returned to Abia North Senatorial zone. It is morally wrong to support any candidate outside Abia North Senatorial Zone”, they stated.
