Abia PDP paradigm not touchstone of equity (Part 1)

Of late, some individuals chiefly from the ruling PDP in Abia state congregated under improvised umbrellas to issue communiques for and against the Abia zoning arrangement, generally referred to as power rotation.

The first to inflame the salvo of agitations were our Ngwa brothers, who are riding on the crest of an emotional wave to deep-six equity following the emergence of Okezie Ikpeazu as the first executive governor of Abia state from the Ngwa extraction.

As anticipated, our Abia North brothers and a few opposition elements — who act as syzygies to the PDP —  responded with rapidity affirming belief in rotation. They also warned against altering the process.

Let us not be carried away by their bombardments no matter the intensity because they are mere histrionics designed to delude. They are all recipients of power rotation since 1999. They are distressed by the horror of losing power and obliviousness, not our collective interests.

In other words, their sense of self-preservation is telling them to sink their teeth into any activism that will preserve their political lifespan beyond 2023. However, the actions of these two Abia North PDP stalwarts are not the touchstone of equity:

1. Deputy governor Dr Udo Oko Chukwu
2. Senator Mao Ohuabunwa

Antecedents have shown that the PDP mantra (equity) is the deputy governor’s bête noire. He has undermined it in all internal political dealings in his community, LGA and zone.

His Excellency, Udo Oko, hails from Etitiama Nkporo. Between 2008 and 2010, during his second tenure as a member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Nkporo and Abiriba (Ohafia North) state constituency, the leader of the Ohafia legislative council was zoned to Ohafia North (Nkporo and Abiriba).

He compromised equity, swiftly displaced the other nine ABSIEC wards, influenced the process and made his personal-assistant, Barrister David Iro from the same Etitiama community, the leader of Ohafia legislative council.

From 2011 till date, he marginalises the remaining Nkporo communities, Ohafia LGA and Abia North, on appointments and employment opportunities that pass through him. About 98 per cent of political appointees and employees are from Etitiama. I stand to be corrected.

For the sake of example, take a look at this:

• 2013-2019: Education Secretary, Ohafia Local Government Education Authority (Etitiama Nkporo)

• 2016-2018: Secretary, Ohafia Local Government Area (Etitiama Nkporo)

• 2011-2015: PDP youth leader Ohafia LGA (Etitiama Nkporo)

• 2015-2019: Abia State PDP Youth Leader (Etitiama Nkporo)

• 2015-2019: PDP Chairman, Ohafia LGA (Etitiama Nkporo)

• 2011-2015: Special Adviser, Legislative Matters to Abia State Governor (Etitiama Nkporo)

• 2019 – till date: Abia State PDP Secretary (Etitiama Nkporo)

• 2019 – till date: DG Ikpeazu Vision Rangers (Etitiama Nkporo)

I do not even want to mention last year’s local government election that produced Hon. Okoroafor Ukiwe, the executive LG chairman of Ohafia local government. Hon. Ukiwe hails from Abiriba. It took a high-level power play and influence to knock Udo Oko and his candidate off. To date, the bad blood still rages.

Let us move away from the lopsided appointments and employments and peruse through the attendees’ list of the Abia North Equity group meeting held recently. Chief Okoro Agha and Chief John Okocha are PAs to the deputy governor. They all hail from the Etitiama community Nkporo.

One can easily deduce that the noise of equity emanating from Abia North is to grease the deputy governor’s 2023 ambition. Any man who does not regard equity has no moral justification to dream of becoming governor on the strength of an ideology he consistently abuses.

Anyways, enough of Udo Oko. Let us take a cursory look at Senator Mao Ohuabunwa. Until his defeat in 2019, he was the senator who represented Abia North at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.

During his time at the National Assembly, only his brothers executed all federal and state government contracts that passed through him. Let us forget employment opportunities, for now, to avoid opening old wounds. His swansong was empowering his indigent constituents with fry pan and charcoal.

Manipulation, greed and deception are chromosomes in the nucleus of the PDP. Therefore, it defies logic to see Abia North PDP stalwarts berating their partners in crime from Abia South over inherent physiognomies.

Anyways, wetin concern me kwanu? Let me play the devil’s advocate since, with the exception of myself, all Abia state elders are afraid of upsetting the applecart.

To be continued next week.