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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