ABIA: CHUKWUMERIJE TESTS STRENGTH AGAINST KALU

The release of names of Senatorial districts in Abia State which brings Osisioma under Abia South seem to have placed a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Nkechi Nworgu in confusion.

Nworgu who has been representing Abia Central comes from Osisioma which falls under Abia South. With the release of this list, it has become clear that Nworgu is neither here nor there, because Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of PDP, has already represents the district.

Last Saturday, Abaribe was sighted at Osisioma, canvassing for votes, a development which was new to him. This development has also given an advantage to the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Senatorial candidate in that district, Kingsley Chima Ugboaja whose major contender would have been Nworgu if INEC had not reviewed the senatorial boundary.

For this reason, it has become clear that PDP will not field any candidate in Abia Central since they have lost the chance. It is now late for them to replace Nworgu. Ugboaja is known to be liked by the people of the district. He is also a well known politician. In Abia North, the emergence of the former governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu , as senatorial candidate of PPA has put everyone vying in that area on his or her feet.

The reason is that while Kalu has something to show for his eight years stewardship as the governor. The PDP contender, Comrade Uche Chukwumerije does not possess the same political acceptance. Most people in his district insist that the serving Senator has nothing more to offer in the Senate, and so wish that he vacates the seat for others to occupy.

Even in his domain, Isuochi, most of the youths are already against his candidature. However, the most interesting thing here is that the two political giants want to test their political relevance among the people and this has made the game very interesting . One thing is clear here, some credible sons of the home town of the serving senator do not see him as the only messiah they have, and for that reason, defected to other parties to give him a fight immediately PDP gave him return ticket

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Some of them believe that, they have not seen anything on the ground which he will show as evidence to be allowed to go back to the Senate. The belief is that the Isuochi-born Senator has become arrogant. They reason that he now sees the senatorial seat as his birthright. Explanations by Governor Theodore Orji on why his party chose Chukwumerije has not helped matters as he has not been accepted by the masses of Abia North.

While former Governor Kalu has things which he can point at for the people of Abia North, it seems that his opponent is relying on the dwindling credibility of the party in power. Kalu has introduced a campaign strategy of going from house to house, even to places where rumours were raised by his opponents that he was not wanted. This very strategy has even been copied by the ruling party .

In a place like Ohafia , Abiriba, Item and the entire Abia North, Kalu is the only name on the lips of the people. Abia residents may have little knowledge about the candidates that will be standing for the election resulting from last minute placements and substitutions that have so far been made by political parties in the state.