Prince Innocent Eleogu 


By Tony Icheku 



In a shocking move the Abia State ruling Labour Party, LP on Sunday ambushed over 200 politicians eyeing either the chairmanship, deputy Chairmanship or councillorship position in the Nov 2, 2024 local government councils elections.


The 200 plus politicians currently  serving Transition as  Committee Chairpersons or Councillors were barred from the election according to Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 which  states that all political appointees seeking to contest elections must resign from their appointed position at least 30 days prior to the date of nomination or party primary.


In Ikwuano LG, the action affected the current Mayor, Comrade Osinachi Nwaka and the Deputy Mayor,  Chief Charles Ugboajah  and the councillors hoping to run in the polls 


Chief Ikechukwu Orunta 

The LP stakeholders also resolved that candidates for the election would emerge through consensus rather than direct or indirect primary 


In Ikwuano LG, it's becoming clear that Prince  Innocent Eleogu  from Ariam-Usaka clan and Chief Ikechukwu  Orunta are the front runners for the Chairmanship flag


Though little is known of Eleogu in the grassroots and within Ikwuano LP, the consensus option appears to be in his favour.


In Ikwuano's political terrain, Eleogu is yet to cut his political teeth, but  he is an unobtrusive moneybag with a deep pocket and runs a philanthropic foundation. Succinctly, he belongs to the elite political circle 


He is also  running on the premise turn-by-turn arrangement, and the Ariam-Usaka clan has put up a strong 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 a  liability


But 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 held the aces when the consideration was for free and fair primary to select candidates for the polls 


Orunta 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.

He   also garnering widespread support from the youths who seek a change in their status quo. However, as the selection process would be taken by a clique of political elites who have the ears of Otti, it's anyone's guess how the final outcome would play out