Col Austin Akobundu, rtd |
The quartet of APC, Labour, PDP and YPP have emerged as the major contending political parties for the National Assembly seats in Abia Central Senatorial district in the 2023 General Elections. Four days to the D-Day, Feb 25, the candidates are still stomping from campaign grounds, to Town Hall and consultative meetings. Hush-hush deals and settlements are equally being brokered behind close doors.
A significant factor here is the peculiarity of the Senatorial district, being the equal division of it's six LGAs between the distinct Umunneato Ngwa of Old Aba division and Ikwuano/Umuahia of Old Bende division. And as primordial considerations take predominance, the stage would be set for an Ngwa v Bende tussle starring Labour Party's Hon Darlington Nwokocha versus PDP's Col Austin Akobundu (rtd). The duo are the undisputable front runners in this election. Where are their strongholds? What could make or mare their chances?
i. Labour: Darlington Nwokocha
Labour Party's Hon Darlington Nwokocha, incumbent House of Representatives member representing Isiala-Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, would be benefitting from Peter Obi's growing popularity.
Chief Chuku Wachuku |
He is said to have a strong grip of his constituency, which is further strengthened by Labour's House of Representatives candidate for the Constituency, Hon Ginger Onwusibe. Both, former PDP members are working round the clock to ensure they do not lose the Constituency. Onwusibe, currently, member of Abia State House of Assembly enjoys widespread popularity in his Isiala-Ngwa North State Constituency. However, the strong PDP presence here would see the votes being shared between the two parties.
In addition, the YPP whose governorship candidate comes from Ossisioma LGA and Senatorial candidate from Isiala-Ngwa North would also not be a pushover here, and one can safely say there would be a scramble for votes between Labour Party, YPP and PDP in that order in the Umunneato LGAs
ii. PDP: Austin Akobundu
Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), former this, former that in national politics is a collosus in the race. His determination and efforts, had been enhanced by the exerting campaigns of the two PDP House of Representatives candidates: Prof ACB Agbazuere for Isiala-Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency and Hon Chinedum Orji for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency. Thus one can safely predict that the PDP as surging ahead in the 3 Old Bende LGAs
On the flip side, feelers that Abia masses are disenchanted with the ruling PDP due to what they perceive as it's unprecedented woeful performance in the socio-economic parameters raises doubts if it would be a smooth sailing. Nonetheless, the widespread Abia PDP network is a plus for them. Indeed, the combined, dogged campaigns of Akobundu and Orji gives them a comfortable edge in Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South LGAs
If the Umunneato PDP puts in the necessary efforts, it would be a victorious outing for Akobundu, albeit with a narrow margin.
ii. APC: Sam Onuigbo
The APC Senatorial flagbearer, Rep Sam Onuigbo's opportunities have been rubbished by internal party bickering and lately a protracted litigation. Thus the party is burdened by dampened enthusiasm and demoralised members. In addition, the House of Representatives candidates of the party appears disinterested in the race
Onuigbo, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia N/S Federal Constituency, three of the LGAs making up the Senatorial district would have used his incumbency as a leverage, but his absence as a topmost contender bothers on APC's dismal outing at the Centre, the bickering and internal contradiction in the State chapter of the party and demoralised followership in his Ikwuano LG
All things being equal, the three Old Bende LGAs would have given the APC an edge as they also produced it's governorship candidate, Ikechi Emenike, unfortunately, the APC guber flagbearer is a lightweight whose impact in the National Assembly election would make minimal difference. Besides, Emenike and Onuigbo belong to different factions of the party, and it remains anyone's guess whether they would put party first during the election
A similar scenario would also play out in Onuigbo's Ikwuano LGA where Hon Emeka Atuma with whom he tussled for the ticket also belongs to a different factions. Would Atuma lick his wounds and mobilise his large following in Ikwuano to support Onuigbo? The answer is blowing in the wind.
Still in his Ikwuano, Onuigbo would be scrambling for votes with the PDP and the fast growing Labour Party whose Presidential candidate, Peter Obi is being used to market the party.
iv. YPP: Chuku Wachuku
The Chuku Wachuku, the YPP candidate and the YPP governorship candidate, Enyinnaya Nwafor were former PDP members whose defection were provoked by the outcome of its primary.
Both lost out in the governorship and senatorial primaries respectively. The YPP, a relatively new party in Abia is riding on the waves of Nwafor's shoulders.
The demise of PDP governorship candidate, Prof Uche Ikonne may drive the Old Aba votes in favour of the YPP in view of their determination to produce the governor. In addition, Wachuku would scramble for votes in his Isiala-Ngwa North and Osisioma LGAs with the PDP, but the Ikwuano/ Umuahia axis may prove a tough call for him as the party lacks substantial presence there. Even as it's House of Representatives candidate appears missing in action.
All things being equal, the race remains too close to call, as the candidates, ever incurable optimists are still pushing hard with their campaign train, never yielding an inch till it's over
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