Abia PDP May Implode Over Speakership

…Gov's Son Allegedly Woos APGA Members With N50m
SAN FRANCISCO, May 13, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State may be heading to the rocks as the post of the next Speaker in the state House of Assembly is threatening the delicate peace enjoyed between the incumbent governor, Theodore Orji and governor-elect, Ikechi Ikpeazu.

The ambition of the Orji's son, Chinedu Orji, who is widely known as Ikuku, to emerge the next speaker in the state may not be unconnected to the current political tussle in the state.

According to reliable sources from the state, the governor's son is hell bent on becoming the next Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly despite his naivety in the legislative arm of the government.

Sources who reveal this to our reporter said that the move for Orji to emerge the speaker is to checkmate the incoming government of Ikpeazu in case he reneges on his promise to his godfather – the incumbent governor.

Orji moves to be the speaker of the state house of assembly regardless of his contentious winning at the poll and being a first timer, according to reliable sources, has chosen his father's former Chief of Staff, Cosmas Ndukwe, as his deputy from Item. Apart from the fact that he is not qualified to be speaker, according to some political actors in the state, he is not even the anointed candidate of the PDP for the position.

Besides pushing himself to the members to be chosen, Orji, according to investigations, is doing everything possible to get the post. A reliable source said: “He is doing everything possible to get that post. He has proposed N50m to all newly-elected APGA members to come to PDP and support him. This overture is not being extended to PDP candidates who were not allowed to contest under PDP but went to APGA and won.”

While PDP majority wants Hon. Azubuike Uzo Charles from Isiala Ngwa North who is the highest ranking PDP member in the House currently and was also returned in the last election, he is also the most qualified and experienced to take the position and even by zoning, he is from Abia central.

This new political development in the state has threatened the relationship between the incumbent, who according to feelers, favours his son and governor-elect who , sources said, is rooting for Azubuike as speaker.

According to a highly placed source who craved anonymity, “In the tradition of using state money for electoral factions gains, Orji, alias Ikuku, is throwing money to achieve his objective.”