by Tony Icheku
As interests clash and the ambitious become bold and audacious, PDP political stakeholders in Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal constituency appear to be speaking in tongues.
DailyLedger.com.ng gathered that the hornets' net was stirred when some of the stakeholders rose from a meeting on Feb. 15, 2023 and ruled the Constituency out of the 2023 governorship race.
"Ikwuano/Umuahia has no intention if going against an agreement they had with the people of Isiala-Ngwa North, Isiala-Ngwa South and Osisioma LGAs on the zoning of the governorship and Senatorial tickets - thus it is the turn of the Umunneato Ngwa to produce the Senate candidate and Abia North to produce the governor come 2023", the stakeholders stated in a communique.
The pronouncement attracted quick applause from Abia North stakeholders which has shouted itself hoarse that going by Abia Charter of Equity it is their turn, but from Ikwuano/Umuahia, first there was pin-drop silence, then consternation, bewilderment and finally damage control mechanism was set in motion.
Sources close to the PDP cabal told DailyLedger.com.ng that it is an open secret that certain stalwarts from Ikwuano/Umuahia are nursing ambition to emerge Abia governor come 2023 and are already working in that direction. "No, we never agreed on any such agreement ruling us out of the race. We discussed elaborately on the issue and said it should be thrown open since it has gone round the three senatorial districts"
The Feb 15 meeting , chaired by former Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Charles Ogbonna held at the residence of Hon Jerry Uzosike, and had in attendance Chief Emeka Inyama leading stakeholders for Umuahia North; Rear-Admiral Ralph Osondu, rtd, for Ikwuano
Almost a week later, the PDP, Ikwuano Stakeholders Forum (ISF) has dissociated itself from the communiqué issued after the Feb 15 meeting, arguing that contrary to the contents of the communiqué, the issue of zoning of Abia governorship position was not mentioned at the meeting.
Chairman of the stakeholders forum, Rear Admiral Osondu (rtd), who briefed the Press in Umuahia explained that the issue of zoning of the Abia governorship seat was not mentioned in the meeting because “it is the exclusive prerogative of the party (PDP) and therefore, not part of the motions moved, supported and adopted during the meeting.
“in respect of that meeting, no communiqué has, so far, been released officially by the Ikwuano/Umuahia Forum”, adding that any communiqué, being circulated and containing the support for zoning of governorship position to any zone does not have the endorsement of Ikwuano PDP Stakeholders.
Other politicians from Ikwuano present at the briefing include: Hon Wisdom Ogbonna (Oboro Clan); Hon Clement Onukwue, (Ibere); Chief B C Mgbaramuko (Ariam Usaka); and Chief Chinkwe Ndimele (Oloko) plus Pastor Ekeleme Ikeije, the secretary of the forum.
The Ikwuano stakeholders pledged their continued support to the PDP led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and assured him of their readiness to win all positions in 2023.
“That the good people of Ikwuano/Umuahia of Abia Central Senatorial Zone are eminently qualified and will contest for the governorship of Abia State, come 2023.“
That our sons and daughters who want to contest are free to enter the race and will receive maximum support of our people", they affirmed
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