ABIA 2023: IS IKUKU’S ASPIRATION AGAINST GOOD CONSCIENCE?
His father is the immediate past Governor of Abia State. His father is the current Senator representing Abia Central. He is the member representing Umuahia Central State Constituency and Speaker of the 7th Abia House of Assembly. 51 year old Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji (Ikuku) is unarguably one of the most fiercely influential politicians in Abia today. Until few days ago, when under his watch, his Deputy and Majority Leader of the House narrowly missed being impeached, he was believed to have superintended over the most peaceful State House of Assembly.
Ikuku, many believe is Abia State’s longest lasting political puzzle and perhaps the only politician that has the uncommon personality of everything: good, bad and ugly revolving around him. People either hate or love him with passion.
IN THE BEGINNING
When he was elected in 2015, those who objected his election as Speaker felt that his elevation to No. 3 would make for an inconvenient balance of power given the amount of political influence at his beck and call.
While he completed the first term as Leader of the House, he staged a stronger come back in 2019 when he emerged as Speaker. So far, he has succeeded in proving wrong those bookmakers who envisaged he would be a pain in the a@s of an Okezie Administration, a man it is yet to be disputed, he helped to become Governor
HIS STRENGTH
1. There are strong indications that the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) trained Engineer has through proxies set up political structures across nooks and crannies of the State. These structures are manned by die hard loyalists whose strength of mobilisation is never in doubt. It is obvious from the formations and make up of these structures that either the former Governor’s son has thrown in the towel or his army of supporters are urging him to do so.
2. BENUDECHUKWU.COM can also authoritatively reveal that IKUKU is in firm control of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) structure in the State and may have no difficulty swinging decisions to his side. Speculations are also rife that he had long made inroads through influencing the appointment of many politicians to choice positions. These politicians are already waiting on the trenches to show their loyalty.
3. His performance as a Legislator by every modest standard is well above average, though objective critics think a Constituency like Umuahia Central ravaged by erosion and flood disaster is getting torrents of mini stadia instead.
4. The Speaker of the 7th House’s close relationship with the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is a budding advantage. When the chips are down, this relationship will make loud statements, the stronger voices of the people permitting.
HIS WEAKNESSES
1. A close look at his life trajectory and profile shows that he may not have done any job as a private person apart from visible presence as son of the Chief of Staff (8 years) and son of Governor (8 years). Those in this shade think he lacks the prerequisite experience to assume the role of Governor at this time competence and capacity define choice of candidates.
2. BENUDECHUKWU.COM reliably gathered that for mundane and sublime issues, IKUKU may have lost his unapologetic – die – hard and influential supporters. This strategy many believe are over reliance on pettiness, divide and rule and suppression of opposition. When votes begin to count, he may likely get stiff resistance from his immediate kinsmen who are warming up for a showdown. From Umunneochi, Bende, Ugwunagor, Osisioma, Obingwa, Isuikwuato down to the smallest political units across the State, there is certainly no love lost between him and his former allies.
3. It may be difficult for him or his supporters to convince that his aspiration/candidacy is not against natural justice and or good conscience. Serving as Speaker of the State House of Assembly for nearly seven years, commanding huge influence as the Governor’s son for eight years seem to many as sufficient political patronage yet. Those in this category think though he is eminently qualified, it would only be fair he allows others a chance to prove their mettle.
4. Opposition elements in the State seem to be contemplating a coalition should IKUKU get the nod. This contemplation is a conscious effort to ensure that there is no further perpetuation of the imaginary Ochendo political dynasty.
5. Politicians from the Ikwuano/Umuahia bloc think that if Umuahia should have the opportunity to produce another Governor, considering the family that held the same position for eight years would be an aberration.
6. BENUDECHUKWU.COM gathered that those who object to an IKUKU candidacy are majority of those who were victims of bad reward system that places mediocrity above competence.
However, we think this school of thought is inspired by envy and jealousy as there is no concrete evidence to support that claim.
ON THE FLIP SIDE
For a man who has done so much for himself, party and society, striving to be relevant in 2023 lays to him as of right.
Many believe that should his aspiration to be Governor hit brick wall, he will move his support to Abia North and specifically for Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, the Deputy Governor of Abia State. This permutation is to serve as a huge compensation that accompanies installing a core loyalist as member.
Already, Ohuhu political bloc is wedging stiff resistance against any other bloc that seeks to contest the House of Representatives slot. The implication is, IKUKU wouldn’t be thinking the direction of the House of Representatives.
The Senate, another viable PLAN B, appears taken. The Ochendo family may have pledged their support for ABIA CENTRAL SENATE to Hon. Darlington Nwokeocha, member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency. This would seem a hard pill to swallow as many believe Darloo is already celebrating in advance, given the character of OCHENDO as a man who does not go back on his promise.
The worst that would happen would be to return to the House of Assembly. The possibility of making it back would depend largely on the zone that finally produces the Governor
We still ask, will IKUKU’S aspiration/candidacy be against natural justice and or good conscience?
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