One interesting thing that could alter the political permutation in Abia come 2023 is if Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, Senator representing Abia South District in the Nigerian Senate; runs for Governorship. 66 years Abaribe is perhaps the most popular and controversial Igbo politician alive. His outspokenenes, doggedness, fearlessness and ability to speak truth to power will naturally endear him to many.
EXPERIENCE
The former Deputy Governor of Abia State thus has rich private and public sector background
STRENGTH
When Sen. Abaribe elected to serve as a suretee for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the now proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),, against all odds, he demonstrated uncommon courage and thus made his way to the hearts of the millions of Igbos sympathetic to the cause of IPOB. It is therefore easy to conclude that Abaribe can access the number and sympathy required to cause upset in an election.
This Master of Economics and Minority Leader of the Senate is believed to have one of the most trusted league of political associates. Many do not know how the Fearless Senator does it but it is true that all his political associates have remained close and loyal to his cause. These Abaribe apologists litter everywhere in all the 17LGAs of the State.
His Obingwa nativity is seen as a budding political advantage. A local government that has proven overtime to be a timely game changer in terms of votes would naturally confer advantage on a Candidate from there
In the area of growing Small and Medium Enterprises, promoting the Abia Enterpreurial spirit, the MADE IN ABA, ABUJA TRADE FAIR, the Senator’s brain child would speak for him as deliberate about rekindling the enterprising spirit of the average Aba Man.
Of all his strengths, many believe his unwillingness to bow to any extraneous power or interest stands him out. Pundits believe he would be independent minded and averse to any form of arrangement that would compromise his control. Those who hold this view recall his stiff resistance to Orji Uzor Kalu’s control while he (Abaribe) was his Deputy and remarkably, his courage to ask Buhari to resign for performing below par.
WEAKNESS
As a fourth term Senator, in a country where a Legislator is expected to return home dividends of democracy, many may not accept that the People’s Democratic Party Chieftain has proved his mettle. Despite his last minute effort to attract the construction of some major roads like Unity to Ogwo Road within his Abia South District, his supporters believe he ought to have done more given the outlay of resources believed to have accrued to him since 2007. We are however aware that in time past there were the Abaribe Ambulances for hospitals within the District and several other intervention projects.
Should Abaribe decide to run, one of the natural objections will come from those who think, and we align our thoughts with it, is that he ought to be playing the role of an Elder Statesman in 2023 when he shall have turned 68. At 68, though Abaribe may not be too old to seek election to office of Governor, that ambition may not be consistent with his ideals as a politician who supports generational change.
Most importantly, people would remind him that he is the incumbent Governor’s kinsman and would be running against good conscience.
WHAT MAY HAPPEN
Though it may be a convenient time to quit competitive politics, the father of three may use running for Governor as a bait to negotiate his return to the Senate or such other political office.
Abians will not forget in a hurry, Abaribe’s OTU ONU political structure. BENUDECHUKWU.COM can authoritatively confirm that members of this structure are intact, vibrant and would, at the appropriate time serve as veritable instruments of negotiation. Abaribe knows his political onions and would deploy his full strength at the appropriate time
If Abaribe runs, he may be upsetting political permutations or give a notice for change in the formation of things.
Still we ask: What if Abaribe runs?
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