By Godwin Akunaka (Jnr)

SINCE  Orji assumed office his greatest problem which had attracted hatred and criticisms from the people was his close relationship with Kalu who many allegedly see as a problem in the state. His overbearing intrusion in Orji’s government was so glaring that on several occasions they disagreed on issues and appointments of aides.

Orji in his accommodating spirit of oneness made Mascot, Kalu’s brother, Chief of Staff against all opposition from majority of the people.

This is a gesture that Kalu would not extend  to anybody no matter who you are. Instead of tolerating such, he would find a way of boxing the person to a corner. Before the recent development in the state, Orji on several occasions had denied having any rift with Kalu. He described Kalu as a stakeholder in the State who should be given due honour and respect he deserved as a former governor of the State.

A position, Orji has maintained and kept to until they started the game of “hide and seek” with the PPA governorship ticket in the state.  His deputy, Chris Akomas, who hails from Abia South zone was propped up to rubbish him and alter the equation of power sharing among the three senatorial zones in the state.

The sentiment being bandied to justify these egocentric motives by the proponents of these moves is that it is the turn of Ngwa people to produce governor. Who are the Ngwa people, Old Bende or Old Aba people? Constitutionally, what is in existence and recognised in Abia State today, just like every other state in Nigeria is the three senatorial zones, namely: Abia South, North and Central that make up the state.

Even within Abia Central where Orji hails from are three council areas that are part of Ngwa land, namely: Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Ngwa council areas.

In Abia South zone where Akomas hails from are other council areas within Ngwa land that all the council areas, including Aba North and South that comprise mainly non-indigenes because of its commercial nature.

Are the propagandists and proponents of the antics and sentiments that it is the turn of Ngwa people to produce the governor in 2011 saying that Ngwa people from the three above –mentioned council areas in Abia Central zones are not true sons and daughters of Ngwa land again?

What  parochialism, fallacy and political deceits of some few disgruntled and mischief makers from the state who claimed to be politicians and have been sponsoring some faceless advertorials against Orji’s government without facts, claiming that they meant well for Ngwa people and the entire people.

The people of the state, especially the Ngwa people are wiser now and cannot be deceived by the antics and ploys of these political jobbers.

Have they forgotten that even at the national level, the argument for a Jonathan Presidency to be or not is not based on the sentiment that he is an Ijaw man from the minority, but on the fact that he is a man from the South-South geo-political zone recognised by the Constitution, but had not tasted power since independence, despite the enormous resources being derived from the zone?

This is an undisputable fact that cannot be faulted by anybody. Issues or agitations based on facts not sentiments should be the major guiding principles of all of us, especially the so-called politicians in this democracy.

In Abia, just like other states, it is no different and it should not be. For the people of Abia South zone, 2015 is their year to produce a governor for the state. For now Governor Orji from Central deserves all the support for a second term, especially now that the state is liberated.

The goalpost cannot be shifted while the match is ongoing. It will not and cannot augur well for the state and the people. Those already fanning the ember of discord on sentiment in the state ahead of 2011 do not mean well for the state. It is a known fact to all and sundry. It is based on dialogue, negotiation and understanding that power will rotate among the three senatorial zones in the State.

Mr. Akunaka (Jnr), a researcher writer, writes from Industry Road Aba, Abia State.