Abia Gov Crisis: Let Abia South Take Its Turn, Pdp Chieftain Tells Ogah

Former Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Dr. Bernard

Orji, has said that any attempt to shortchange the people of Abia South

zone in the governance of the state, would destabilize Abia and urged Dr.

Uche Ogah to allow the zone complete her turn.
Orji, who stated this in an interview with newsmen while reacting to the

ongoing tussle over the state governorship position, said it will be in

the interest of the state for Ogah to allow the people of Abia South to

complete their tenure.
“Since 1981 when the Abia Charter of Equity was instituted by the founding

fathers of the state, Michael Okpara, Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam and others, only

people from Abia North and Abia Central zones have ruled Abia. The people

of Abia South zone have never had a chance until 2015. Anybody who wants

to distort this arrangement does not mean well for Abia state. The

Nigerian Constitution also recognizes the issue of geographical spread in

the holding of political offices.
“There is need to carry every zone along; governance should not be to the

exclusion of a particular zone. The people of Abia South should be

supported to conclude their turn. If there should be any contest, let it

be between the aspirants from Abia South. So that, tomorrow, the people of

Abia South won't say Abia North did not allow them to conclude their

tenure. The situation we have at hand can set the state on fire. If Abia

South is stopped, I foresee disharmony in Abia. The idea of something

belonging to everybody, but being held by one section will breed

disharmony.
“The idea of zoning political offices among Abia North, Abia Central and

Abia South, is to ensure that every zone is carried along in sharing of

political power in the state. Zoning promotes peaceful co-existence and

harmony; reduces friction and disunity. Infighting is too much, people now

see politics as a do or die affair. Anything that can reduce this

bickering is a welcome. The issue of zoning is good; If is not your turn,

you should wait. There should be no desperation. Since the era of

Ogbonnaya Onu to Orji Kalu and Theodore Orji, power has been concentrated

in Abia North and Abia Central; it should go to Abia South.” he said.

The former Majority Leader, who represented Ohafia South state

constituency, advocated for a situation where people of a particular zone

would be free from external influences to choose their candidate and

present him to other sections of the state and described this as the cause

of the present stalemate in Abia.
“The only thing that can surpass zoning is good governance. In this

country, we are suffering economic diabetes. So if it is the turn of any

zone to bring a leader, they should stick out their necks to bring who is

capable. In all the zones in Abia state, we have experienced people. If it

is your turn, the people should sit down and choose a good leader. They

should not succumb to external influence. In Abia South, we have very

experienced politicians. The likes of Emeka Wogu, Friday Nwosu , Acho

Nwakanma and many others. My thinking is that the people of Abia south

should have been allowed to make an acceptable choice and present him to

other zones of the state.”
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