AS 2015 elections approach, political gladiators who wish to replace Governor Theodore Orji in Abia State have started traversing the entire state, consulting with stakeholders and power brokers to seek their approval and support.

BY ANAYO OKOLI

Perhaps, due to the promise of Governor Orji to cede the seat to Ukwa/Ngwa political bloc, it is not surprising that most of the aspirants now in the race are from the area.

Stating his resolve to cede power to Ukwa/Ngwa during a recent reception organized in his honour by Abia South people, Orji told them: “I have given a sense of belonging to the Ukwa/ Ngwa people to assert themselves.”
“In every century, God brings out a person that comes to lay a foundation. It is my belief that once you lay a good foundation on how power will rotate as far as governorship is concerned, it is going to be in the interest of Abia State.”

“No section will be marginalized in Abia. Ukwa/Ngwa have never been governor, what is wrong in allowing them produce a governor? A lot of people from other zones have come to me to say, ‘I want to be governor’ and I will tell them straight away, this is my stand.”

“Equity demands that the right thing should be done. They may hate me but within me, I am convinced that I am doing the right thing.”

“Our party, PDP believes in power rotation and sharing according to political blocs. After convincing people on this I will not like to have any problem in this zone. What we know is Ukwa/ Ngwa. It is open for you; go and contest.”

*Gov Orji

“Any person who emerges as the guber candidate of our party from this zone, we are going to support that person.”

“People should not be afraid because this is something that involves contest; you have to put in your best, your finances and everything you have. We have made a statement and it is in the best interest of the state.”
Controversy has, however, trailed that promise given that most of the Ukwa Ngwa people live in Abia South Senatorial district, the only region of the state yet to govern the state. Though Governor Orji made his promise of power shift apparently on the basis of that fact that Abia South has yet to govern the state, it has not stopped some Ukwa Ngwa aspirants from Abia Central from showing interest.

Also, some people from the other zones, especially those from Isiukwuato are still angling to give the Ukwa/Ngwa people a run for their money as they argue that power is not given but taken. Again, they argue that in all the past contests, people from Ukwa/Ngwa contested for the governorship position, hence their insistence on contesting in 2015 alongside Ukwa/Ngwa people.

With the governor’s assurance, all manner of aspirants from Ukwa/Ngwa have indicated interest, some seriously, while others are apparently out for political spoil. Below is peep into the profiles of the contenders and pretenders to the throne.

Enyinnaya Abaribe
Senator Abaribe an economist, was at one time regarded as the undisputed political leader of Abia South with ability to make and unmake. He has lately been rivalled by a number of others who he helped to build. He has one of the most extensive political structures on ground in Abia South and his name is synonymous with the Otu-Onu [one term] slogan, which was a great struggle to stop Kalu from having second term in 2003. He looms large in the political consciousness of Ngwa people because of his many battles against former Governor Kalu.

Friday Nwosu
A lawyer by training, Friday Nwosu, fiercely battled former Governor Orji Kalu during the Otu-Onustruggle in opposing a second term for the former governor of the state which endeared him to the people of Abia South.

Emeka Wogu
Wogu, a lawyer, is the Labour and Productivity minister with extensive goodwill at the grassroots flowing from his time serving as a local government chairman in the nineties and subsequently, though a reputation as a goal getter at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMFAC and now as as a minister.
Wogu is fiercely loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan and also to Governor Theodore Orji. He served under Orji as as political adviser to Governor Kalu while the governor was Chief of Staff. He has not made his intentions known as he is still at his duty post in Abuja.

Nkechi Nwaogu
A banker, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu is for now the only female aspirant for the position. In fact she is also for now, the only person who has openly declared her ambition to the leadership of her party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

She is a great mobiliser who can pull surprises in any political contest as in 2007 when she shocked many by  defeating two more experienced politicians, Senator Chris Adighije and Senator Bob Nwanunu for the Abia Central seat.

Though her ambition has been receiving knocks from some people, she has not relented as she has continued to consult widely including traditional rulers.

Uzo Aubuike
A lawyer and presently a member of the House of Representatives, Azubuike’s name was among the first touted to succeed Governor Orji. At a time, it was rumoured that he had been endorsed by the governor and he almost went about with that impression until the governor openly denied endorsing anybody. Since then Azubuike has scaled down his pursuit of the plum seat.

Okezie Ikpeazu
Okezie Ikpeazu is the deputy general manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).
He is in-charge of cleaning up Aba and environs. Ikpeazu’s name recently came into the governorship race like a thunderbolt following rumours that he had been endorsed by the Abia first family to succeed Governor Orji. It took an open denial from the government for the man to go back and concentrate on his assigned duty of cleaning up Aba. That rumour may work against him.

Eric Acho Nwakama
Acho Nwakanma, a biochemist who rose through the state House of Assembly to become deputy speaker of the House, and subsequently deputy governor to Governor Orji, he remains a close confidant of the governor.
It is said that were it in the hands of the governor to give out, he would without hesitation bequeath the office to his friend. One major drawback for him is that he is said to be extremely too gentle to handle a state like Abia.

Alex Oti
Dr. Alex Oti, the group managing director of Diamond Bank, is being mentioned as one of Orji’s possible successors. A close pal of the governor, Oti, who hails from Arochukwu in Abia North, is said to be an Ngwa man from origin, precisely a native of Umuoru, Umuehim in Ehi Na Uguru autonomous community, in Nvosi area, Isiala Ngwa South Local Council of the state.

In fact, his Ngwa kinsmen have started wooing him to join the race. Already, some traditional rulers from Ngwa land, who claim to know his roots, are mobilizing for a reception to welcome him home to Ngwa land. And true to expectation, Oti is currently erecting an edifice in his native village.

According to his traditional ruler, Eze Edward Emenelu Eluwa, Alex is a freeborn of Ngwa Land. “His father, Lazarus Oti by name, attended the same school with me at College Practice School, Ihe. He was born and bred in Umuoru, Umuehim in Ehi Na Uguru,” the monarch said.

Marc Wabara
Marc Wabara hails from Ohambele in Ukwa East Local Council. His name has been remotely mentioned as an aspirant though not much has been heard from him on this project.

With the influence of his elder brother and former Senate President Adophus, his connection as a foremost banker and glut of aspirants in core Ngwa land, luck may smile on him as he is from Ukwa area. He is not entirely a novice in the game as he also indicated interest in 2007 but later withdrew.

Chris Nkwonta
Chris Nkwonta is an established businessman and believed to have deep pockets. He is also said to be known for a lot of philanthropic activities. A native of Akwete in Ukwa East Local Council, Nkwonta’s name was one of the early names linked to the governorship seat but of recent it has not been featuring strongly. He is rather being linked more with the race for Abaribe’s Abia South Senatorial seat. But one of his supporters said he has not closed that chapter because in politics, anything can happen.

Incidentally, all the aspirants mentioned above are of Ukwa/Ngwa bloc and members of PDP. Aspirants from other axes and political parties are expected to join the race.

Already, names of immediate Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika and Oil magnate, Chief Uche Ogar of Masters Energy, all from Isiukwuato area are being touted as having interest in Governor Orji’fs seat. Also from APC, Chief Ikechi Emenike, also a non-Ngwa is said to be interested.