By Eddie Onuzuruike
The Perfect Alchemy in Abia Gubernatorial Chemistry.
There are strong indications that Abia PDP has taken a bold step in the balance of power and political growth. In truth, Dr Ikpeazu and his think-tank should be applauded for this move which complies with the Igbo saying that a good Eke Market day starts at the eve, which is the twilight of Nkwo, the preceding day. The PDP in Abia is the strongest party and expected to win the imminent governorship election in this 2015. I stand to be proven wrong.
One of the best decisions taken by PDP in Abia is balancing the political equation by zoning the governorship to an Abia area where it has not visited since the creation of Imo and Abia states. This to a large extent solves many problems like reducing to the barest minimum issues that may heat up the polity as exemplified below.
In the spirit of sharing and the stipulation of Abia Charter of Equity which states that no particular area or political bloc should have two important positions at the same time. For instance, the South cannot have the Governor and deputy Governor, or the Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly and the Deputy Speaker at the same time.
Dr. Ikpeazu is today running as the guber candidate for PDP because that position has been zoned to Abia South and incidentally he has chosen his deputy from Nkporo in Abia North. This choice is a masterstroke for the party. Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu is a two time member of the House of Assembly and the incumbent speaker. Zoning as a policy has certainly influenced his decision to fish further afar to the North for a deputy.
As argued by One Hilda Ifeoma Ifegwu, ‘We are in the threshold of implanting sanity, equity and fair play if we take the political journey to the South. The gains will be unspeakably enormous: Unnecessary tussles will be laid to rest. On the second note, it would give the potential senatorial zone time to prepare, putting their best foot forward in terms of candidates. Having planned and executed well, court cases would be less, thuggery and thuggism would be on its way to extinction with little attention paid to backhand settlements and extortions by law enforcement agencies.
The incoming governor would spend less on election bills and would have valuable time for the electorate. Having gone through an impartial selection process among peaceful coexistence, the stakeholders and electorate would have much say in the government of the day, distancing the killer we-and-they feelings.’
Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, an accountant by training is in the house. He equally set a good example weathering all the storms attendant to the position. The experience of previous years saw the house in a turbulent tussle that had two speakers at a time, resulting in one faction exiled to Abuja. But not under Ude, for the House from 2011 to present time witnessed a calm and calculated legislative arm where all the committees and house functionaries gave good accounts of themselves with purposeful and impeccable deliberations. It was more consensus than conflict.
It is of note that the Abia legislature was at a point at loggerheads with the leadership of the judicature which escalated to all-time highs but this was surprisingly doused and mediated amicably to the point where all parties left with their heads high to the utmost relief of the state.
From all the above, Dr. Ikpeazu has crept into the house by becoming an in-law of the Abia House of Assembly. From all calculations, the new deputy could be playing two competent roles of deputizing and advising without the oftentimes experienced suspicion and complexes as it happened in 1999 to 2003 where the governor was uncomfortable with his deputy for touted higher qualifications and educational level. The present followers and staff realizing all these would have little room for petty jealousies and gossip that would in turn fuel domestic counterintelligence.
Due to this amicable choice, the speaker with his weight of legislative experience will be in a good position to advise the governor on legislative matters and strengthen the incoming speaker on grey and ambiguous areas which catalyze conflicts.
As it stands now, we have been spared the horrors of suffering like the grass where two elephants fight. The treachery of a wily deputy as experienced between Akomas and T A Orji will be no more.
With Ikpeazu and Ude Oko Chukwu, just as they say in marketing, Abia has gotten two good bargains for the price of one.
With a good deputy, the governor would be focused with somebody reliably taking the heat off him by carrying out most assignments judiciously. As an accountant, he would certainly volunteer professional counsels and may not easily fall prey to scams that deplete the public treasury in many other places. In a glowing tribute by Mr Oguguo Ogbonna, a retired information guru in the House of Assembly, ‘Sir Oko Chwkwu is a team player, policy freak, highly dependable and reliable, a man who ould sacrifice personal gains for peace to reign. Not only these, he is a good family man,sturdy on religious and moral grounds. The successful tenure of Chief T. A. Orji in Abia cannot be chronicled without the mention of the unquantifiable support and contributions of the cool headed speaker.’
Already, a good foundation has been laid by the present administration amid peace and tranquility. Abia is set to live fruitfully and ready for bumper harvests.
May God guide Abia leadership with unity, prosperity and economic stability.
Eddie Onuzuruike.