By Tony Icheku 


Ahead yet to be scheduled LG elections, Abia State Governor Alex Otti is still dancing  round in circles to his own music even as  the politicians remain spectators holding their breath as they attempt to decode his dancing steps


All agree, in line with the convention of elections conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECs, that it's the governors who dictates the tunes in such elections. Which  are really 's-elections'  not elections as the SIEC appointed by the governor are under compulsion to comply with his wishes 


Thus, despite the Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to elected  LGA administrations, the 's-election' process  is usually the governor's business


In Abia State, nothing would change, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti whose despotic inclination and subtle manipulative tendencies are  clearly unfolding would leave nothing to chance in ensuring the 's-election' works according to his blueprint.


Though, Otti inherited an electoral commission, the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC inaugurated by his predecessor, former governor Okezie Ikpeazu, he had studiously refused to acknowledge their existence.


From his body language, holding the LG elections appears the least of his  concerns, and he would have preferred to run it as a unit under the governor's office - it took him all of six months to constitute the Transition Committee CTC for the LG Councils, and immediately renewed their tenure after the expiration of the initial six months.


So far, Otti's nominees for his own ABSIEC had been cleared by the Abia State House or Assembly for over a week now, but the man is still pussy footing whether to inaugurate them or not. The House has also taken care of the issues he has raised concerning amendment of Abia LG Act, but in all everything about the LG elections in Abia is in limbo


Though the  political class are holding their breaths, they are  nonetheless   already warming up for the election, waiting for Otti to blow the whistle.


For now, the situation favour the CTC Chairpersons or Mayors who desire to transit from appointment to election. They are the ones who already have the ears  of Gov Otti and can afford to plough in resources in holding meetings and strategy sessions. But would all who desire be given the nod to return as Executive Chairpersons? Definitely not.


Despite the suspense, the polity is already getting heated up in all the 17 LGAs of the State.


Those brave enough to signify their ambition contend that there exists a tradition of zoning and rotation through an Executive Chairperson would emerge  and are counting on the governor to respect such. Of course Gov Otti has promised to hold primaries, but judging  from his  many unkept promises, he is likely to tip a favourite crony and expect others to fall in line or seek greener pastures outside the LP


In  Ikwuano LG LP, five  chairmanship aspirants could be identified so far, and  the party is already in convulsions. The story is similar  in all the 17 LGAs of the State. Indeed in LP circles, the most used word is 'endorsement'. But whether endorsed by the LG Caucus or Stakeholders, Gov Otti would give the final endorsement. Those who have thrown their hats into the ring resort to manipulations and influence peddling to concoct some semblance of endorsement. 


Five of the aspirants in Ikwuano LG LP include the CTC Chairman or Mayor, 

Comrade Osinachi Nwaka and his deputy, Chief Charles Ugboajah


Others are Chief Innocent Eleogu; Chief Ikechukwu Orunta and Prince Ambrose Nwachukwu


Outside the LP, an aspirant,  Comrade Philip D Iroegbu, aka Philip-D is also warming up to run on a yet to be decided platform.


The assumption is that since it is going to be an election conducted by ABSIEC, any one given LP ticket is considered to have won even before the election.



Osinachi Nwaka - Ibere 



If Gov Otti decides to tap his loyalist to fly LP flag, Comrade Osinachi Nwaka is a likely prospect.


As the Ikwuano Mayor, he has the attention of the governor and reportedly enjoys a robust  relationship with him that began outside of politics.


Nwaka is a businesman and facilitator of the New Era Foundation, NEF, a philanthropic organisations he is using to touch lives.


Nwaka's  ambition to return as Executive Chairman of the LG is however facing stiff resistance from certain interests in the LP. But as the sitting Mayor, he is at an advantage to  leverage on his position to advance his cause


In addition, he is the only aspirant from his Ibere clan.



Charles Ugboajah - Ariam-Usaka



Chief Charles Ugboajah is the current deputy Mayor. A joint Nwaka-Ugboajah ticket would have been a sure banker and likely to earn Gov Otti's endorsement But from the look of things there appears to be no love lost between the duo.


Chief Ugboajah comes to the contest with years of politicking as a former Councillor and former  Leader of the Legislative Council.


He also has the ears of Gov Otti, having been part of his previous campaigns for the governorship


Ugboajah, a core grassroots politician  is  sure to benefit from the intimidating political network of his late kin, Chief K C Ugboajah who during his lifetime held sway as the undisputable godfather of Ikwuano politics with network criss-crossing Abia.


Chief Innocent Eleogu   - Ariam-Usaka 




In Ikwuano's political terrain, not much is known of Eleogu's political antecedents except that he is an unobtrusive moneybag with a deep pocket    


He is the founder of Innocent Eleogu Foundation and  running on the premise turn-by-turn arrangement, and this time it is Ariam-Usaka's turn  to produce the next chairman.            


 Prince Ambrose Nwachukwu - A/Usaka




Prince Nwachukwu, who defected from PDP to LP is embedded in Ikwuano's grassroots politics and has served as a  Councillor 


As a former PDP chieftain and businessman, his links to the PDP could be an asset or liability.


It could be an asset if the still vibrant PDP structure decides to do business with him.


 Ikechukwu Orunta - Oboro



Chief Ikechukwu Orunta,  a businessman and staunch party mobiliser in Oboro clan sure holds the aces  if the LP opts for free and fair primary.


He is the arrowhead of the sentiments in  favour of Oboro clan using its  four clans to have an upper hand  in the  sharing of political position. 'It's equitable and just', says sources from his camp which says the four wards are in support of his ambition.


Orunta is also garnering widespread support from the youths who seek a change in their status quo.


 Philip Iroegbulam, aka Philip-D




Were he to be in LP, Philip-D would be an  upset to  all permutations. Dogged, focused and pro-people, he is a rallying voice for Ikwuano youths. And showcased his strong points when he vigorously campaigned for the Ikwuano State Constituency seat in the 2023 election 


Philip-D from Oboro says he is running because Oboro's four clans gives them an advantage. Dismissing rotation as no issue, he declares: "What was once seen as a stabilizing force is now viewed by some as a hindrance to progress. Critics argue that the rigid adherence to clan-based power rotation can stifle innovation, limit the pool of leadership talent, and perpetuate a system of patronage that prioritizes clan loyalty over meritocracy"


For Philip-D, the recent granting of autonomy to LGs  provides the LGs   with greater control over their resources, decision-making processes, and policy implementation. Autonomy is expected to empower local leaders to address the specific needs of their communities more effectively, without being constrained by external influences. 


Oloko

Obviously, Oloko, where the Member representing Ikwuano State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly comes from would  be the shopping ground as it has no aspirant yet, and plenty would be on his shoulder lot to  determine where the clan would pitch it's tent


Definitely, it is not going to be politics as usual as the political consciousness of Ikwuano's youthful population armed with increased access to information, education, and political engagement are  more informed and assertive than ever.