When on the 5th of Septemeber, 2020, Ngwa Patriots Forum delivered its   communique after their Annual General Meeting held at Confidence Hotel, Umuahia, many reasoned that Ndi Ngwa have made an invitation to treat to the rest of Abians. Part of the communique read “

“That in due deference to the subsisting Charter of Equity, it is only fair that the Old Aba Zone should be supported to produce the next Governor of Abia State in 2023. This is also with regard to the fact that our brothers from Old Bende enjoyed 16 uninterrupted years on the seat”. 

The tone and substance of that message could only interprete to mean among others that Obingwa, Aba North, Aba South, Ugwunagbor, Ukwa East, Ukwa West,  Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South are favorably disposed for anyone from the nine Local Governments making up “Old Aba Division” to succeed the incumbent Gov. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D

The Man Okey Ahiwe
When political pundits analysed the communique coming from no less an organisation than NGWA PATRIOTS FORUM, it was easy to believe the group was speaking the minds of particularly Ndi Ngwa like Okey Ahaiwe who many believe are either interested in the Governorship or being primed by their supporters to contest for the Governorship. 

Founding member and Founding President of NGWA PATRIOTS FORUM, the Ntigha Isiala Ngwa North born Okey Ahiwe, fondly called “Kikas” represents cohesion, bridge building, unity of purpose, equity and development of the Ngwa nation. When Kikass worked closely with notable Ngwa sons to set the Ngwa Patriots in motion, it was by every stroke of the imagination, envisaged to be a socio – cultural organisation with the right political mix to advance the progress, developments and needs of Ndi Ngwa through negotiations and agreements. 

Today, Ngwa Patriots  have moved beyond that singular shrill voice to a legitimate and barrier breaking one, populated by the best of Ndi Ngwa with the potential to have a say and cause direction in Abia affairs

Apart from the influence garnered leading the Patriots, Ahiwe has in his kitty, a profound over 25 years experience in Oil and Gas servicing through his AMBROKAH OIL SERVICES FIRM.  Those who are in doubt if he has the prerequisite financial strength to contest for Governorship in Abia should imagine his business relationship with top  multi national oil firms like Schlumberger, Chevron, Mobil and Agip just to mention but a few. 

The University of Lagos trained Political Scientist may not have the roaring personality of a political tiger. However, his disposition and mien are broad enough to attract the friendship of Abians across party and ethnic lines. A visible FRIEND OF THE GOVERNOR, people had jocularly suggested that if Governorship was given to any of one’s trusted allies without being seen to have circumvented the rules, that Gov. Ikpeazu may not look back handing over to his bossom friend Kikas. Ironically, Gov Ikpeazu is a grand defender of ideal Democratic principles and would sincerely wish anyone succeeding him to be a product of popular votes both at the party primary and General elections. 

THE ISIALA NGWA  CHALLENGE 

IF it is true that every Politics is local, then Kikas will have a lot of work to do in his native Isiala Ngwa. Though Isiala Ngwa is predominantly People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when interests will be evaluated, the tiny yet very significant divisions in particularly Isiala Ngwa North will play out. 

The Oil Magnet was a member of the EQUITY GROUP having mainly heavyweights like Chief C.O. Enweremadu, Chimezie Okoronkwo, Chinanu Ogbumaniri, Uzoma Ihuka, Lucky Nwogu and Friday Onukwe. This group at the time differed with the PROGRESSIVES led by the former Speaker of the 6th Abia House of Assembly and very brilliant Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, with full support from Hon. Ginger Onwusibe and his OTAWIKE structure, Hon. DARLINGTON NWOKOCHA, Prof. Uchenna Eleazer Ikonne, Uzoma Harley Onuoha and Hon. Chinenye Ike just to mention but a few. Today, even with the return of Uzo Ihuka to the PROGRESSIVES, it is not certain if his interest does not clash with that of Ginger with signs of either immediate or future cracks in the offing. These are some of the intra wrangling Kikas must contend with in a political environment with overwhelming majority of jumbo stakeholders. 

Okey Ahiwe with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu Dtate

It is not certain if these interests have been maintained along those lines, what must be noted is that the pronounced, silent or implied Governorship ambition  of some members of this group would be a determining factor. 

Already, Hon. Nwokocha is believed to be considering a shot at the Senate should Governorship fail, while Ginger Onwusibe is also believed as considering replacing Darloo at the House of Representatives. These permutations mean there would be understandable conflict of interest between Kikas and his kinsmen, particularly those interested in becoming Governor

MAJOR STRENGTH

Apart from coming from the private sector and having traceable means of livelihood, being the Governor’s Man Friday, Kikas by any stroke of the imagination is neither desperate nor behaves desperate. These High points have an enviable admixture with his peaceful disposition and calm nature. 

When completed, the 5km Egbelu – Ntigha Road credited to him will speak volumes.  Ahiwe’s philanthropy and kind gestures to natives of his local community would stand as pointers to his ability to care more than the next person. 

THE PARTY ANGLE

Ahiwe is not known to have either fully financed, controlled or coordinated any popular political structure in the State. It is therefore understandable when his supporters insist that he would have the PDP structure by merely asking. At his native Isiala Ngwa North, Kikas cannot be said to be in charge of party structure as his colleague stakeholders seem to have a fairer share of the delegates and structures. 

Perhaps, this ‘disadvantage’ is a further testament that Kikas does not play the do or die kind of politics

If we put these points in proper scale and political perspective,  we shall still be tempted to ask, is Kikas the person we are waiting for?

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1 COMMENT

  1. The last time I checked, we’ve got three zones in Abia: North, South and Central.
    For equity and justice, the governorship office rotates among zones. Hence, it will be detrimental for Abia South to be requesting for additional term.
    It’s the turn of Abia North to produce the next governor and on that we stand.
    No interest should thwart this arrangement.
    God bless Abia

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