As the clocking ticks to the next general elections in 2015, those who are believed to harbour ambitions to vie for one office or the other are gradually positioning themselves ahead of the battle. The case for the 2015 governorship race in Abia state is no exception. Trust politicians, they will never allow any opportunity to show off their contacts pass by.
Needless to say that despite the denials of some governorship hopeful of not having interest to succeed Gov. Theodore Orji when his tenure expires in 2015, people of the state gradually knows the names and clout of people who intend to vie for governor; but are rather working from the background.
Recently, two grand occasions took place at different venues in the state.
They are pointers to the desire of some governorship hopeful to always be on top of their game. The platforms were a traditional marriage ceremony of the daughter of an Abuja based legal practitioner, Friday Nwosu and the civic reception in honour of the member representing Aba federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Uzo Azubuike. Both ceremonies were graced by high ranking members of the society and the import cannot be lost on the people of the state.
Though some would judge the ceremonies on the periphery, political analysts are not deceived to understand that the events have some political undertones. Of course, they organized by politicians; the breed of people who loves the limelight.
Talking about the traditional wedding ceremony of Nwosu’s daughter, it was a sort of double celebration for the Obingwa born lawyer as he hosted his soul mate and Bayelsa state governor, Henry Seriake Dickson and his Abia counterpart, Gov. Orji to the admiration of the mammoth crowd who graced the event.
The civic reception for Azubuike which attracted the presence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, is another occasion believed to have been organized for the interest of the lawmaker in the build up to the 2015 guber polls. It was no less a gathering of the ‘timbre and calibre’ of Abia politics; featuring the state deputy governor, Col Emeka Ananaba(rtd), Speaker of the state Assembly, Chief Ude Oko Chukwu and his members, Abia PDP Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, former deputy governor, Acho Nwakanma; among others.
While the traditional marriage ceremony of Nwosu’s daughter held at the sleepy Mgboko Umuoria community in Obingwa council area on April 27th, the lawmaker’s event held at the pavilion of the Abia state Polytechnic, Aba on May 20th. Within the space of a month, God’s Own state played host to dignitaries from Abuja and beyond. One prays that such events be held regularly owing to its implications on the 2015 Abia gubernatorial polls.
One striking feature about the two ceremonies was the presence of various groups displaying the banner of the two personalities. The only difference was that at the traditional marriage, it was observed that groups from the three senatorial districts of the state sang Nwosu’s praises, calling on him to join the governorship race of the state in 2015.
Speaking at the occasion, Gov. Dickson described Nwosu as his brother from ‘another mother’ as well as a former classmate and colleague in the Nigerian Police, university and law school and noted the latter’s supportive roles to him both in politics and other fields of human endeavour, stressing that the Abia State born lawyer has always stood by him and was instrumental to some of his sterling achievements as a member of the House of Representatives.
The Bayelsa strong man insisted that the occasion was not the right one for lengthy speeches and promised to return to Abia state on another occasion in no distant time with as many as 10 state governors; a promise which enlivened the crowd.
In his remarks, Gov. Orji re-echoed the statements of his Bayelsa state counterpart, and described the legal practitioner as a son in whom he is well pleased. He further called on him to pray and work harder.
Speaking on the responses of the two state chief executives, chairman of the occasion, Chief Gershon Amuta insisted that they have only come to rejoice with Nwosu over his daughter‘s marriage stressing that there is nothing wrong for people to dream dreams while politics should be left for another day.
A cross section of people who bared their minds to newsman at the occasion on Nwosu’s rumoured governorship interest, described him as the kind of person needed to succeed Gov. Orji. According to them, Abia state needs a clean break from the past.” If I have my way, I will advise the people to reject any aspirant who has held positions in government in the last 10 years. Let us try private persons and see if there won’t be change,” a man simply addressed as Emma told journalists.
An examination of the dignitaries who attended both ceremonies points to the strength of the two personalities. Though on the surface, both were not political events, but they have made the people of the state to understand the power base of Nwosu and Azubuike who are believed to harbour governorship ambitions for the Abia Government House in 2015. Through Dickson’s presence at the occasion, not many people knew that the man they fondly call “Ikpeghiebighi” has grown in stature to the extent of attracting two state governors and other high ranking members of the society to the traditional marriage ceremony of his daughter.
Nwosu who led the ‘Ikpeghiebighi (Money Cannot Buy) Movement’ that almost denied former Abia state governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu a second tenure in 2003, is said to have made inroads into some power bases in the state and Abuja that his name now rings a bell as the new man on the block to succeed Gov. Orji. At least, sources say he has his friend, Gov. Dickson, some state and federal power brokers behind him.
Close associates hinted that though he is yet to make his ambition public, he will surely keep a date with 2015 as far as the Abia governorship race is concerned.
As for Azubuike, his name has been a recurring decimal in the state since he emerged a member of the Abia House of Assembly in 2003 where he later became the deputy speaker. It cannot be denied that he boast of contacts in the state and beyond. In fact, he is a grassroot politician. As a member of the House of Representatives, some constituents posit that he is yet to impact on the residents of Aba Federal constituency. But those who hold such opinions refuse to understand that he has not been found wanting in his core duty as a lawmaker. The duty of a lawmaker is to make laws for the good governance of the society. Azubuike has acquitted himself well as the chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions. Sources said he has 150 students on his scholarship scheme among other achievements.
Two days ago, the Aba Ngwa Traditional Rulers Council led by Eze Love Wogu , organized a civic reception in his honour. The ceremony also saw Reps Speaker, Tambuwal and his deputy, Ihedioha being conferred with chieftaincy titles of Ikeoha Ngwa and Ebube Ngwa, respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, Gov. Orji who commended the lawmaker for achievements stated he has not endorsed any aspirant for the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.
The governor, who called on the residents of Aba to desist from spreading rumour about the governorship race in 2015, added that he only came to honour the lawmaker with his people.
“Let me make this point clear to everybody. Aba residents are good in spreading rumour. Aba is the headquarters of rumour. Before the end of this occasion, one person will be in a beer parlour and say that Ochendo has anointed Hon. Uzo Azubuike for 2015 and the rumour will spread through the whole town. We are here to celebrate Hon. Uzo Azubuike with his people. I didn’t come here to anoint anybody for 2015. When the time comes for 2015, all the stakeholders will gather and decide. It is not what Ochendo will do alone,” he said.
But conspicuously absent at the civic reception for Azubuike were his fellow representatives from the state, except Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who represents Isiukwuato/Umunneoch federal constituency. No reason was given for the development. One thought that with the presence of Tambuwal and Ihedioha, Rep members from the state would have been at the event as a matter of protocol. A roll call of absentee Rep.members from the state went as follows: Hon. Uzoma Nkem Abonta (Ukwa East/ UkwaWest federal constituency); Eziuche Chinwe Ubani (Obingwa/ Osisioma/Ugwunagbor federal constituency); Chinenye Ferdinand Ike(Isiala Ngwa North/ Isiala Ngwa Southfederal constituency);Udo Ibeji(Umuahia North /Umuahia South/ Ikwuano federal constituency) ; Arua Arunsi(Arochukwu/ Ohafia federal constituency) and Nnenna Ukeje(Bende federal constituency)
Political analysts opine that the reception was nothing but an effort by the Aba Ngwa Traditional rulers’ councils to position Azubuike for the race.
In Abia state, since the advent of the present administration, traditional rulers have assumed the role of pressure groups with most of them nominating chairmen and members of the Local Government Transition Committees. The move is already attracting condemnation from some residents of the area.
“This reception for Hon. Uzo Azubuike has been held many times, I can’t understand the role of traditional rulers organizing events for politicians here and there. This is why Abia has not made much progress. Look at the bad state of Ukaegbu and Umuola roads where the lawmaker lives, the royal fathers are not saying anything about it. Everybody knows that Uzo Azubuike is contesting for governor in 2015; this reception by Aba traditional rulers’ council is just to position him. It will be a tough battle, if it is not handled well, there would be trouble in PDP,” a resident of Aba North council said.
Investigations revealed that other aspirants who are also believed to be nursing gubernatorial ambitions have been working underground waiting for the appropriate time to stage their own ‘power shows’ in the state.
In all, Abia state needs such big occasions. They provide the people of the state the opportunity to know the clout of their illustrious sons and daughters. Most importantly, It also creates opportunities for constituents to see their representatives; some of whom do not have time for their people as they are holed up in Abuja performing legislative duties.