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By Sunday Ani
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State and prominent political stakeholder in Abia South, Ijeoma Nwaoru Jnr, has warned faceless groups bent on pulling down the member representing Ukwa East/West federal constituency in the House of Reps., Chris Nkwonta to desist from the act.
Nwaoru’s warning was contained in a statement he made available to Daily Sun. According to him, his main interest is the socio-economic, infrastructural and human capital development of the federal constituency rather than partisan politics. He stressed that Nkwonta has given a good account of himself in that regard and therefore, should be supported and not distracted.
His words: “Recently, a faceless political pressure group, which prides its name as Ukwa Equity and Justice Group (UEJG) with unidentified and non-existing Chairman and Secretary, C Nwachi and O S Michael, respectively, had, through a publication in a national daily and some local media stations, demanded that the seat of Ukwa Federal Constituency be ceded to them in Ukwa West.
“Ukwa federal constituency consists of Ukwa West and Ukwa East local Government Areas.
“In 1999, at the inception of the present political journey, the late Chinoyerem Macebuh of blessed memory from Ukwa West represented the constituency between 1999 to 2007 and was succeeded by Emeka Stanley, who spent one year on the seat before he was ousted by the court in favour of Uzoma Abonta from Ukwa East who held the position for 15years between 2008 and 2023 before the incumbent occupant, Chris Nkwonta .
“But it is on record that some critical stakeholders of Ukwa West, while acting on their party instructions willingly, voluntarily and deliberately surrendered their mandate to the people of Ukwa East when it was their turn to return to the National Assembly. In 2015, after Abonta had completed eight years on the seat, the people of Ukwa East wholeheartedly called on their son, Abonta, to relinquish the position, warning that Ukwa East would not be supporting him for a third term
“Then, Chris Nkwonta was gunning for the position of the Senate for Abia South on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, while the late Kennedy Emeka Adiele from Ukwa West rode on the same platform for the House of Representatives.
“The people of Ukwa East rejected their son, Abonta as he failed in Ukwa East during the 2015 elections, where the Ukwa West candidate won but some critical stakeholders of Ukwa West connived and conspired against their own and handed the seat to Abonta by rigging the election for him against the collective will of Asa people.
“The zoning arrangements had no consideration for political platform and Adiele won in that election but some induced political stakeholders from Asa sold him out”
The APC chieftain, who is also a political analyst, recalled that ahead of the 2023 general elections, political leaders, key stakeholders, and the electorate in the Ukwa Federal Constituency, dissatisfied with 24 years of poor representation, unanimously urged Nkwonta, whom they believed had the capacity to deliver, to step forward. He added that the people have no regrets about that decision.
“For me, l am not a fan of Nkwonta, though being from Asa, Ukwa West, l can unequivocally and boldly point at projects so far attracted and executed by the lawmaker in Ukwa land and l stand to say that his two years in the National Assembly has superseded the past 24 years of this democracy.
I can attest to the Solar water projects, school construction and renovations and many other tangible projects attracted by Nkwonta across Ukwa land.
“It has never been so for the constituency. Unlike his predecessors, Nkwonta does not sell constituency projects. He executes all for the people. The EFCC and the ICPC are currently on the neck of his immediate predecessor over sold constituency projects.
“Nkwonta, who is on his first tenure in the green chamber, is currently the House of Representatives Chairman of the South East Development Commission (SPDC) and it is expected that he would also use that positively when funded to attract more democratic dividends to Ukwa land. He is a first timer, which is usually a learning period, so he deserves a second term to consolidate. Sending another green horn to the place in 2027 will be a fatal mistake by our people and that would deny us the benefits that would accrue from SEDC. Nkwonta has performed above expectations and deserves an automatic second term.
“Calling on all political parties and the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to cede the political seat to Asa land is a vain request because with the sterling performance of Nkwonta in that position, the demand is dead on arrival and the ruling party where Nkwonta belongs cannot take such a risk because you can’t change a winning team.
“Even Governor Otti knows that, irrespective of political affiliations, he needs Nkwonta for any electoral success in Ukwa land. Nkwonta has endeared himself to the people with his benevolence and exemplary legislative prowess,” Nwaoru stated.
