ABIA SOUTH SENATE: WHAT MAY STOP IKPEAZU?
Abia South Senatorial District comprising of voters from Obingwa, Ugwunagbor, Ukwa and Almighty Aba. will be an interesting battle ground in 2023. Interestingly, majority of the contenders from leading political parties are all from Obingwa. The current Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Sen. Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe is from Obingwa. Abaribe was elected 16years ago under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) until June 2022. Abaribe resigned his membership of the PDP and of course his exalted position as Minority Leader of the Senate. Abaribe aspired to be Governor of Abia. In what looked like “political ojoro”, the PDP tactically excluded all aspirants but one, causing mass exodus from the party, Abaribe being one of the victims.
The Abaribe factor will be a profound one when Abia South Senatorial District elections come underway in 2023. Abaribe BENUDECHUKWU.COM can authoritatively reveal will enter the “ring” bearing huge grudges against his kinsman, the leader of the PDP in Abia State, Gov. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, for largely “forcing” him (Abaribe) out of the PDP. It is also indisputable that Abaribe’s decision to relinquish his position as Minority Leader puts him in a self – inflicted quagmire, necessitating a struggle to make up for any loss. Abaribe, the man popularly called “NMA AGHA NDIGBO” will do all within his political powers to break the pattern of ascension to the Senate in Abia State. Abaribe wants to ensure that Ikpeazu will be the first Abia Governor since 1999 who could not make it to the Senate. Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (1999 – 2017) and his estranged God son Ochendo Theodore Orji (2007 – 2015) are in the Senate. Abaribe seems a formidable brickwall for Ikpeazu
GOV. OKEZIE VICTOR IKPEAZU’s STRENGTH
Ikpeazu is not a new name in Abia Politics. A former University Don, Ikpeazu has been a Local Government Chairman, General Manager of reputable agencies in Abia State. Having served as Governor for nearly eight years, there is a presumption, though rebuttable, that Ikpeazu looks better than any other to command the number enough to be elected.
Politics aside, many believe that Ikpeazu appears to have done better in terms of rural development and Aba Urban Renewal more than any Governor of Abia since 1999.
Ikpeazu will be leveraging on the roads to his credit within Obingwa. Though Aba still remains a quasi – developed City, Ikpeazu made frantic efforts to rescue the city from the stiff shackles of underdevelopment. Those who live at Osusu, Omuma, Ngwa Road, Aba – Owerri Road, Ukaegbu, Nwaobasi Estate, Azikiwe would attest to Ikpeazu’s benevolence with democracy dividends. Though his only visible signature project, the OSISIOMA FLYOVER is not within Abia South District, Aba residents and indeed Abians would not mind recommending Ikpeazu for votes as compensation for solving the Osisioma intractable gridlock.
Obviously, as a member of the ruling PDP and a Governor that has “shown mercy” through appointments, contracts and distributing perks of the office to friends and foes alike, it is expected that more and more voters would “show him mercy” in return.
WEAKNESSES
BENUDECHUKWU.COM monitored events that led to the mass exodus from the PDP. It is correct to say that never in the history of Abia has PDP experienced the level of implosion that greeted her party primaries. It is believed that most of the celebrated “warlords” that made PDP the party to beat may have exited the party.
Aba, despite the very many interventions by the Ikpeazu government, remains a valid sore point. Ikpeazu will need to contend with the anger of victims of his “failed” Ifeobara Flood project. Traders at Ariaria will likely protest the devastating effects of flood and demolition of their shops.
Abia State Polytechnic and College of Health Technology, Aba are domiciled in Abia South. With mountainous arrears of salaries owed staff of these institutions, it may not be easy for Ikpeazu.
Civil servants in Aba, Ugwunagbor, Obingwa and Ukwa whose salaries, pensions and gratuities have remained unpaid in as many months may likely cast protest votes against Gov. Ikpeazu.
Although Gov. Ikpeazu recently exonerated himself from the abysmal performance of Ukwa leaders who have been heading the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), the dearth of safe/clean water, access roads, health care facilities and basic infrastructure despite earnings in billions as an Oil Producing Area will be deciding factors.
The Abaribe factor is another sore point. Put head to head, many believe that Ikpeazu does not have the requisite Legislative experience to replace the outspoken, bold and experienced Sen. Abaribe, if at all experience counts.
To be continued…
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