Ebere Uzoukwa
The most auspicious moment the “Ukwa La Ngwa Struggle” has berthed remains 2015 till date. The people of Ukwa La Ngwa have closely felt the gains and perhaps the inherent division and acrimony that habitually greet an exalted political office such as the Governorship.
It is equally adjudged in some quarters that Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D at the moment remains the greatest beneficiary of the “Ukwa La Ngwa Struggle” after Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. As the first Governor of Abia State of Ukwa La Ngwa extraction, expectations were heaped and tied round on his neck.
While the Governor and his handlers have on the other hand presented the administration’s scorecard as excellent and development driven, many hold still contrary opinion.
It is agreeable that many rate and judge the Governor from different parameters and indices. Some illogically allude the alleged poor performance of the Governor to his benefactors. Of a truth, many Ukwa La Ngwa gladiators had expected the Governor to “liberate” himself. They believe that the sustained peace, understanding and harmony that exist between ex-Governor T. A Orji and his Rt. Hon. Chinedu Orji, who incidentally is the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly and Gov. Ikkeazu have robbed off the State and her people some mileage in practical development. There are still some that have consistently applauded the Governor for showing maturity in leadership as well as upholding excellent spirit of gratitude. The fact remains Dr. Ikpeazu wouldn’t have been on the ballots if ex-Governor T. A Orji and family never endorsed and supported his nomination.
Regardless of the perception, the Governorship of Dr. Ikpeazu which ends on May 2023 is still riddled with mixed feelings. Many gladiators in Ukwa La Ngwa are sticked to the narrative that ex-Governor T. A Orji and Rt. Hon. Chinedu Orji are still in-charge. To them, “the television is with Dr. Ikpeazu in Umuobiakwa while the remote control” is with Ochendo and his son at Umuahia. Regardless of these subjective feelings, the cordial relationship that exists between Ochendo, his son and Dr. Ikpeazu has reasonably dwarfed the negative version. It is obvious that Dr. Ikpeazu has never at any point and within the period he has held sway as Governor of Abia State complained of any form of interference. The Ochendos on the other hand have neither accused the Govenor of exhibiting symptoms of ingratitude. This to a reasonable extend settles the matter.
The perception however is somewhat different in the minds of many Ukwa La Ngwa power players. There is an evolving narrative that the “Struggle” is yet to deliver its expected dividend. To many of them “Dr. Ikpeazu’s Governorship was given to protect a family interest; time to contest and grab the Governorship of Abia State remains 2023”.
As Dr. Ikpeazu battles to dismantle this narrative upon which some elements bandies as justification for Ukwa La Ngwa gubernatorial project, his kinsman from Obingwa and Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe declared right before him and in his Umuobiakwa countryhome his intention to succede him as Governor of Abia State under their party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. How the Governor, who is a product of equity assimilated Sen. Abaribe’s shocking gubernatorial declaration is something those close to him can only explain. But knowing Dr. Ikpeazu and his understanding of politics, I guess a scenario of surprises and disbelief immediately Sen. Abaribe declared to become his successor may have enveloped the arena.
Apparently to consolidate his Ukwa La Ngwa support base, Senator Abaribe gladly subscribed to the setting up of a reconciliatory and peace rebuilding mechanism ahead of 2023 immediately it was suggested during the January 2, 2022 Adaelu convened meeting. Whether Senator Abaribe and Dr. Ikpeazu are pursuing a common Ukwa La Ngwa agenda for 2023 is something that is still shrouded in darkness.
However, political pundits are of the opinion that Senator Abaribe has perfected plans to relinquish the Abia South Senatorial seat to the people of Ukwa. One of the recent developments in the polity fuelling such speculation is the shocking return of Chief Chris Nkwonta to his former party, the PDP. Many had expected the Oil & Gas and Shipping magnate to rekindle his Senatorial pursuit under the platform of APC having failed to actualize same under the platform of APGA.
While Dr. Ikpeazu is speculated to have his eyes on Senator Abaribe’s seat, the Ohuru-Obingwa born political tactician is preparing grounds to pacify the Ukwa people.
Though the Governor is reportedly committed to finishing strong by ensuring that he leaves an enduring legacy in Aba and other parts of the State, reports around him suggest his displeasure and discomfort over the way and manner his kinsmen from Ukwa La Ngwa are dangerously heating up the polity. The Governor it was reliably gathered is sensing a conspiracy by his Obingwa and Ukwa La Ngwa kinsmen to thwart and render his succession agenda disastorously impotent. Whether such conspiracy is hatched somewhere in Ukwa La Ngwa and within the ruling PDP, is what unfolding and subsequent political events will validate.
(Expect Part 3 and the conclusion of this episode on Sunday)
Ebere Uzoukwa a Political Activist & Media Practitioner Writes From Obingwa
