Less than seven months before voters in Abia State, will file out to vote for their next governor, the question of the senatorial zone to produce a successor to the incumbent, Chief Theodore Orji, is already generating intense debates across the state.
And it would not be surprising if the development translates into intrigues and high-powered permutations in the days ahead.
At the centre of this unfolding drama, are the power blocks, which are the old Bende zone and Aba division. Of the two zones, the old Aba bloc is yet to produce the state governor since 1999.
On the strength of this, the popular expectation is that Orji’s successor will hail from old Aba zone, which is also known as the Ukwa/Ngwa bloc in line with the Abia Charter of Equity, ACE.
The ACE, which was occasioned by the need to assuage the fear of domination by any section, provides that the governorship of the state be rotated among the three zones.
Instructively, the document specified the sharing of political offices in a manner that none of the divisions at the time of creating the state would dominate the other.
The old blocs
Accordingly, the zones at the period ACE was adopted were Afikpo Division, Bende Division and Aba Division.
It is believed that the ACE made the creation of the state from the old Imo State possible, and had guided the emergence of two state chief executives so far.
That may have informed Governor Orji’s declaration at different fora that he would hand over power to Ukwa/Ngwa people in 2015.
According to Orji, the ACE, which prescribed power sharing in the state, remains sacrosanct and will be implemented in the interest of peace and equity. Orji said he would not like to take any decision that would plunge the state into political crisis, hence the decision to respect the charter.
Ever since the governor made this known, divergent reactions have been trailing the decision, particularly from those, who are opposed to the idea. The promise also brought about a debate on which part of Ukwa/ Ngwa zone would produce the governor in 2015.
Instructively, the Ukwa/Ngwa zone comprises of nine council areas of which Obingwa, Aba South, Aba North, Ugwunagor, Ukwa West and Ukwa East fall under Abia South senatorial zone while Osisioma Ngwa, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South councils make up the Abia Central zone with the Umuahia/ Ikwuano bloc.
Complaint and opposition
The opposition and complaint are hinged on the argument that Ukwa-Ngwa people are found in three Local Government Areas in Abia Central.
Political heavy weights like Senator Nkechi Nwogu, Acho Nwakanma, Chief A.C.B Agbazuere, Chris Akomas among others, are of Ukwa/Ngwa origin, but situated in the central.
This is why most analysts, opined that power sharing in the state remained between the old Bende bloc and Aba bloc.
Instructively, the larger concentration of the native Ngwa are believed to be found in Abia Central Senatorial District.
However, there is uneasiness in the camp of those, whose argument is that zoning should not overwhelm competence.
To this group, the best man, who could be trusted for continuity should emerge from any part of state.
Capability to serve
While where the pendulum would swing to, is still left to be seen, analysts are of the opinion that if the disaffection arising from the governor’s support for the Ukwa/Ngwa is not addressed, the Ukwa/Ngwa people might lose the opportunity of providing the governor come 2015.
Amid the ensuing permutations, the entrance of Senator representing Abia Central District, Sen Nkechi Nwaogu, has altered the political calculation, as she comes in with vigour and great sense of accomplishment.
Nwogu is believed to stand a better position of representing Ukwa/Ngwa people
A two-time Senator and a former House of Representatives member (2003 – 2007), she is known for her wealth of experience in administration and resource management.
With this seemingly robust profile, the mood of the people outside and within the state, suggests that she stands a better position of representing Ukwa/Ngwa people.
Before now, her aspiration existed in the realm of speculation, but the two-time senator, recently put the doubts to rest.
Nworgu, at the PDP secretariat in Umuahia, formally declared her interest to govern the state on the platform of the PDP.
The lawmaker, who holds two records of being the first woman from Abia to take a seat at the House of Representatives and the Senate, insisted that her gender would not be a disadvantage in her quest to succeed Orji.
“If my party will support me I will run for the post of governorship. It is my aspiration, my desire. I have the qualification and experience to pilot the affairs of Abia State if given the mandate to govern Abia,’’ she stated.
Massive empowerment programmes
Reputed for her massive empowerment programmes, Nwaogu asked not to be judged by her by gender, noting that her qualification and antecedents, stand her out.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Gas, insisted that she would build on the framework already laid by the incumbent, whose legacy projects have formed the foundation for a new Abia.
She is believed to have made her marks in the upper legislative arm as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Banking, where she used her position to get the banks conform to good corporate practices.
Her experience as a former member of the House of Representatives has played a key role in her robust parliamentary activities in the Senate so far.
With this towering profile, it is not doubt that Nwaogu is a remarkable force among all the aspirants.
