Gov. Orji, Abaribe Consolidate Abia Political Unity As Abia Government Berths In Lagos
ABUJA, July 18, (THEWILL) - Literarily the government of Abia State relocated to Lagos at the weekend during the wedding ceremony of Chinonyerem Abaribe, the daughter of former Deputy Governor and current ranking Senator, Enyinnanya Abaribe.
It was a show stopper as the entire Abia Political class led by the governor, Chief Theodore Orji and the members of the National Assembly, led by the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu and eminent politicians from all sides of the political divide took time off to solidarize with Abaribe, who was variously described at the occasion as a symbol of a charismatic grassroots politician and a great political ‘pugilist’, always on the side of peace and unity.
Governor Orji who came in company of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly and some members of his cabinet stormed Lagos in a chartered aircraft and made straight to the Church; Catholic Church of Devine Mercy located at the high brow Lekki Peninsula for the wedding service. Instructively, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu who contested the governorship of the state against Orji in 2007 was also conspicuously present at the occasion with his wife. The two other Senators from the State; Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Senator Nkechi Nwaorgu were there too, so also was Chief Tony Ukasoanya, a top notch in the political battle in the state, Chief Ojo Maduekwe’s Wife; Ucha was there for the husband amongst others.
The Wedding of Nonye to Chidiebele Iwuchukwu, no doubt was a test case of the political peace in Abia as it provided yet another platform to consolidate and showcase the reality of the political unity in the state, which was consummated at the run off to the last general election.
“This wedding to us is symbolic; it showcased the current reality in our state. It is also quite significant, particularly against the backdrop that the two foremost political leaders in our state; that is the Governor and Abaribe are working in harmony for the good of the state, which has known no such political peace in times past. We are happy to have such large and humane hearted political leaders. It shows that the existing peace is not a pyrrhic one. It is real.
“Abaribe is a natural charismatic leader who never wavered in the face of obvious political persecution when he was deputy governor, and yet has shown unwavering faith in the ability of the state and her leaders to rise above such frays and move on. In the same vein the Governor, has surprised all by the manner he has been going about governance, particular his father figure disposition to all. For him to mobilize the entire political class to Lagos is a statement that never again would Abia be divided. He is a good man,” said a top politician and currently an adviser to the governor who would not want his name in print.
Recall that the state has before now been enmeshed in political brick-bat of some sorts, when it was sharply divided between two hard opposing camps that were massed in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). But peace was brokered before the election thus paving way for Governor Orji to cross over to the PDP where he contested and won his second term with the active support of his erstwhile opponents.
Eminent Personalities at the reception, which was held at ‘The Manor’, Lekki included the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba; Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola; wife of former Lagos State Governor Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige; Senator Ayogu Eze, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Ahmad lawan, Senator Sunday Ogbuoji, Senator Emmanuel Paulker and Senator Ehigie Uzamere. The Anambra State Governor, Dr. Peter Obi sent a representative to the occasion.
Some members of the House of Representatives present were, Hons. Eziuche Ubani, Chinenye Ike and Uzoma Abonta.
The banking industry was not left behind as former Chief Executive Officers Tony Elumelu of UBA, Emeka Onwuka of Diamond Bank, Marc Wabara of defunct Hallmark Bank, Chris Nwosu of defunct UTB and Ogala Osoka of NICON were there. Also, the current CEO of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Oti honoured the occasion with his presence.
It was an occasion in which political party divides broke down as ACN, ANPP and CPC senators came together in solidarity with one of their own.
Traditional rulers from Ngwaland graced the event; they include the Chairman of Obingwa traditional rulers council, HRM Eze Ikpeazu, Eze Love Nwogu and Eze P. O. Ogbonna the secretary of Obingwa Traditional rulers council.
The Ngwa people in Diaspora were represented by Dr Obinna Ubani-Ebere, President of Ngwa United Alliance based in the United States of America who made a show stopping entrance.
An elated Abaribe told THEWILL that he was overwhelmed by the show of genuine solidarity even from so many who were to come but could not make it, but rather sent messages.