… Its grand conspiracy by Ukwa/Ngwa to retain power – Group

Prominent leaders from Abia North under the aegis of Abia North Leaders of Thoughts (ANLT) have raised the alarm over what its termed ‘gang up against gubernatorial candidates from zone.

   The group in a statement 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 frustrating power sharing arrangements among the three senatorial districts by ganging up against candidates from Abia North such as Dr. Ogah, Prof Ibe and Uwa leaving only Mascot Uzor Kalu of the Action Peoples Party (APP) as the only viable candidate in the race from the district.

They said the Appeal Court judgement against Ibe and Uwa of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) coupled with the Supreme Court judgement against Ogah of the APC were grand conspiracy to frustrate the senatorial district.

The leaders warned that they would not watch other zones snatch power away from them, vowing to do everything possible to ensure Abia North is not denied their right.

  They 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.

   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, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia North governed the state for eight years and handed over to Theodore Orji, from Abia Central senatorial, who also did eight years and handed over to Victor Ikpeazu from Abia South in 2015, whose eight years tenure would expire on May 29 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.