By Chijindu Emeruwa, Umuahia
A socio-cultural organization of youths from Old Bende bloc of Abia state, Isiukwato Youths for Equity Alliance (IYEA), has rubbished the position of group of Concerned Ikwuano/Umuahia Stakeholders seeking return to Governorship seat of Abia State in the coming 2023 general election.
This was even as Isuikwuato Youths described the outing by the APC Concerned Ikwuano/Umuahia Stakeholders as charade and comical, adding that their recent position in respect to the 2023 gubernatorial seat of the state is capable of causing unavoidable crisis and as well create disunity among people of the three Senatorial districts in Abia state.
It will be recalled that the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia in Abia Central Senatorial Zone of Abia State, had on Wednesday, indicated interest in the forthcoming 2023 gubernatorial election.
According to the stakeholders, power has rotated among the three senatorial blocs of the state and should return to Abia Central (Ikwuano/Umuahia), where there exists capable and reliable hands to handle the governorship position.
They made their position known in a communiqué signed by a former House of Representatives aspirant in the last 2019 general election in Abia state, Hon Martins Ikechukwu Apugo and issued to journalists in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.
However, the Isuikwuato Youths For Equity Alliance (IYEA), in a communiqué jointly signed by its President, Comrade Emma Iroegbulam and Publicity Secretary, Okechukwu Okeregbe, at the end of its enlarged meeting held in Umuahia, on Thursday, reiterated its position that power must shift to the Abia North Senatorial district of the state, hinging their stand on the charter of equity propagated by the founding fathers of Abia, which according to the youths, stipulated that the seat of governor of Abia should rotate among the three Senatorial districts of the state namely, Abia North, Abia central and Abia south.
The Abia socio-cultural youth organization also pointed that the three senatorial districts of the state have taken their shots at the Government House, Umuahia, naming Chief Orji Uzor Kalu who took the turn of Abia North for eight years; Senator Theodore Orji took turn of Abia Central for eight years, and the incumbent Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu who is currently in his second term in office and his tenure will elapse on the 29th May, 2023.
The Isuikwuato Youths for Equity Alliance, further added that as the Abia gubernatorial seat had rotated among the three senatorial zone hence the need for continuation of the power shift to consolidate on the existing development, progress and unity of the state for the good of Abia populaces.
It also expressed total regret on the undemocratic move by the group of Concerned Ikwuano/Umuahia Stakeholders to truncate the charter of equity enshrined by the Abia founding fathers.
The youth body, insisted that it is the turn of Isuikwuato extraction of Abia North Senatorial zone of the state to produce Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s successor in the coming 2023 gubernatorial election in the state, hinting that it will be in the best interest of Abia State and her people that Isuikwuato bloc should be allowed to occupy the number one seat of the state to enable it tackle headlong myriads of challenges facing the state.
According to them, “we appeal to our illustrious son and the Honorable Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah to declare his intention known for the Abia Governorship race in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. We must applaud him for the industrialisation brought in Isuikwuato land which has given Abia an economic facelifts.
“We must equally lauds Dr. Ogah on his outstanding and effective representation of Abia and entire Igbo nation in the federal Executive Council which undoubtedly has attracted many impactful Infrastructures”We call on others sons and daughters of Isiukwato extraction who are qualified to join the governorship race, as the time is now for us to come together as one and united family in order to actualize the quest for an Isiukwato man or woman to succeeds Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
“We are taken these stands on the basis of justice, equity and fairness, and as well the general well-being. We will equally ensure the project is realizable and foster rapid development in all facets of Abia state”.
The organization further disclosed that it shall embark on critical assessments of track records of all patriotic and worthy Abians who have declared intentions to run for the position of Abia Governor in 2023 general election and come out with endorsement of preferred candidate that will reflect the wishes of the Abia people, urging citizens of the state to obtain their permanent Voters card as that is their only power and weapon to effect responsive governance in Abia state come 2023.
The Isuikwuato Youths for Equity Alliance further commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his administration’s unrelenting efforts and unwavering commitment to the enhancement of welfare of the Abia populaces through execution of critical infrastructures.
The youths group applauded Governor Ikpeazu for the political stability in Abia State and also praised his inclusive policy in the governance of the state.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
