The People of Ngwa extraction of Abia state, have made case for governorship slot ahead of 2023, saying that power should be retained in the area for another eight years after the tenure of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The people who made this known in Umuahia,during the Annual political summit of Ngwa Patriots Forum,a socio-cultural organization of Ngwa, said it would be just and equitable for power to be retained in the old Aba zone for another eight years after the tenure of Governor Ikpeazu.
According to them, the founding fathers of the state founded Abia on two blocs,the Old Bende zone and the Old Aba zone,while the Old Bende zone has done a total of 16 years tenure, the Aba zone is met to take its turn of 16years.
Speaking with newsmen, the President of the Association, Sir Uzo Ihuka, said the summit with the theme,’ The Political Journey of the Ngwa Man’, was an annual event done to appraise the journey of the Ngwa man,where he is coming from,where he is,where he is supposed to be and where he is going to based on the present situation of things.
Sir Ihuka disclosed that the summit ended with a move for power to return again to the Old Aba zone after the eight years tenure of Gov Ikpeazu.
According to him, the Abia North senatorial district which is under the Old Bende zone,did an eight years tenure,under Sen.Orji Uzor Kalu,after which power was given to his brother, Sen.T.A Orji of Abia central district of the same old Bende zone, making it a total of 16 years consumed by the old Bende zone.
He said all what the Ngwa man is agitating for, is a replay of what transpired in the old bende zone in the Aba zone.
” Power came from Abia North to Abia central and to Abia south.What we are asking is that,power should follow the same route it went through in Old Bende zone.Now that power is in Abia south of Old Aba zone,we want it to return to the Ngwa extraction of Abia central for another eight years,so that no bloc would feel cheated”, he narrated.
While advising Abians to think towards that direction, Ihuka maintained that equity should be allowed to play out come 2023.
The member representing Isiala Ngwa North State constituency, in the Abia House of Assembly,Hon Ginger Onwusibe, said it is fair and equitable for power to be handed over to the Ngwa extraction of Aba Zone.
According to him, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu from Old Bende did a tenure of eight years, after which, he handed over to his brother of the same zone, Chief T.A Orji,who also did an eight years tenure, bringing it to a total of 16years done by Old Bende.
Hon Onwusibe maintained that equity demands that such incident should also play out in the Old Aba zone for justice to reign.
He added that it is completely fair, if Gov Ikpeazu finishes his tenure and hands over to his brother of the Ngwa extraction of Abia Central, because what is good for the goose,is also good for the gander.
The former commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs,Hon C.O Enweremadu, stated that the whole essence of the summit was to reflect on the journey of the Ngwa man and the way forward, as well as to acknowledge the achievements of the first Ngwa governor for the past five years and hope by 2023, another Ngwa man would be able to build on the progress so far made.
Enweremadu said the vision of the Aba zone to retain power for 16 years just as the people of the old Bende is achievable,as they have the population,human resources,as well as it is logical and just.
In their separate speeches,Chief Okey Ahiwe and Chief Michael Ibe Nwoke,said the agitation of the Ngwa man can be achieved through dialogue, stressing the need for Abians to give their continuous support to the governor,so he can deliver on his promises.
Meanwhile,the guest speaker,Prof Ikechi Mgeoji, while delivering his lecture, called on the Ngwa nation to unite and pursue their course, as well as rekindle the spirit of ‘Onye ahala Nwanne ya’, stating that with unity and togetherness,they can achieve their vision.
He harped on the need for Abians to support the governor to uplift and reposition the state on the part of development.
