As the agitation rages over which senatorial zone in Abia State should produce Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s successor in 2023; Prof. Maduike Ezeibe, has stated that the state needs 48 years to rotate power among the three senatorial zones of the state.
He insisted that the Ukwa Ngwa people should take another 8 years tenure at the governorship position to make it at par with the 16 years done by the Old Bende zone.
Ezeibe, a professor of Veterinary medicine at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, who stated this while delivering a keynote address at the first Ukwa Ngwa socio political and economic round table, tagged, ‘Ike Nkwu 2022’, organized by the Supreme Council of Ukwa Ngwa Youths, in Aba, insisted that besides the two political divides of Old Bende and Old Aba zones, there is need to rotate power on the basis of the senatorial zones of Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South but with a provision for the Ukwa, Isiala Ngwa/Osisioma and Isuikwuato areas to also take their turns.
The don explained that it takes 24 years to rotate power in most states of the federation while Abia has a peculiar situation that requires more years for power to rotate among the senatorial zones.
He said; “In most states of Nigeria, power rotates between the senatorial zones for equity and good conscience, but in Abia, we have a peculiar composition. Abia is made up of four brothers from the same father. Ukwa and Ngwa people are from the same mother (Aba), while Umuahia or Old Bende and Isuikwuato are close relations , but not the same people. In other words; Abia – (Aba, Bende, Afikpo, Isuikwuato before Afikpo left for Ebonyi), belongs to Ngwa,Bende or Umuahia and Isuikwuato. Should we for equity rotate power among the four? Isuikwuato and Ukwa deserve to get their shares instead of being submerged by their big brothers .In that sense, it will take 24 years for most states to rotate governorship among their three senatorial zones, Abia needs 48 years. In Abia North, we have 3 Umuahia LGAs and 2 Isuikwuato LGAs while Abia South has 4 Ngwa LGAs and 2 Ukwa LGAs.
‘It makes sense that each senatorial zone should be given a second chance (round B) for her two different families to have their chances of their 8 years in power. By 2023, Abia should be going to the first slot of round B in continuation of her first rotation. Isiala Ngwa/ Osisioma and Ukwa have the right to produce a governor in 2023. Isuikwuato/Umunneochi has the same right. What we are arguing is the order in which the rotation should take place. Going from the two political divides of Old Bende and Old Aba zones, it is right for another 8 years of Old Aba zone to equate the number of years of Old Bende in power. I urge Ukwa Ngwa people to unite and ensure that what is equitable is implemented. No part of Abia should be left out.”
He urged Ukwa Ngwa people to unite, stressing that the zone needs political power for the economic empowerment of her people.
Earlier, President of the Supreme Council of Ukwa Ngwa Youths, Hon. Dannie Ubani, called on political parties to zone their governorship tickets to the Ukwa Ngwa bloc, insisting that it is the turn of the zone to produce another governor in 2023.
In his words; “Political parties are the vehicle through which aspirations are actualized. We are making as clarion call and demand that for any political party to have the prospects, the hope and the promises of winning the next governorship election in Abia State, such political parties should show their seriousness by committing themselves to the ideals of fairness, justice and fair play through zoning their governorship ticket exclusively to Ukwa Ngwa land. It doesn’t matter the party. If PDP zones its governorship ticket to Ukwa Ngwa land, Ukwa Ngwa people will throw their support.
“If APC and APGA can do the same thing, we will support them. But should any of them deprive Ukwa Ngwa people of the privilege of flying their tickets that means that they have forfeited the mass support and votes from Ukwa Ngwa people. We rub your back, you rub yours, if they don’t zone their governorship tickets exclusively to the Ukwa Ngwa, and they have automatically lost the main election. Our stand is that the next governor will build on the foundations laid by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu. In line with the Abia Charter of equity, no other people deserve the governorship than the Ukwa Ngwa people.”