Abia State and 2023 Guber Aspirations: The Confusion
Afnews Editor
Feb 29, 2020
By: AFNews
A lot of confusion, combinations and permutations seems to be brewing gradually, in the political firmament of Abia State ahead of 2023. Although the next round of election is years ahead, but it appears that political bigwigs in the State are living no stone upturned in ensuring that political workings as it unfolds, works in their favour.
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Already, the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as at today, seems to be at the verge of factionalizing its self, due to the confusion that has bisect the ruling party as to which zone in the State controls the party machinery.
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Presently, the Chairmanship position of the party in the State, is being controlled by Chief Johnson Onuigbo who is from Abia Central Senatorial District of the State. While some politicians from Abia North believed that it should be their turn to produce the next party Chair, those in Abia South are also angling that the Chairmanship position goes to them.
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The tension in the PDP become very serious during the last stakeholders meeting which was held in government house in Umuahia.
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Information which filtered out revealed that during the meeting there were shouting match between top stakeholders in the meeting and even threats to factionalize the party.
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But if para-venture, the party Chair position goes to the Northern axis of the State, it then means that the Governorship position which is believed to be the turn of Abia North based on the charter of equity, may no longer favour the area.
But some power block in the State still favours the incumbent holder, in the person of Chief Johnson Onuigbo to retain the position for Abia Central. However, ahead of 2023, the political heat is charging up on daily basis in Abia State, making pundits to imagine what is going to play out.
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There are political heavy weights in Abia State, whose body language indicates that they have interest to contest in the forthcoming election.
It is said that in politics, every minute counts, little wonder these political bigwigs are not living anything by chance as they are already sharpening their political masterstroke in a bid to make a positive outing come 2023.
However, let us take a look at some of these heavy weights who will definitely contest election in the State come 2023.
UCHE OGAH
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[caption id="attachment_54099" align="alignnone" width="400"] Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah[/caption]
Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, the Hon. Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development is one of the big politicians in the State who will likely vie for the Gubernatorial election in Abia State come 2023.
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He remains a unifier and a rallying point as far as Abia State politics is concern. Due to his youthful disposition, Chief Ogah is the Youths delight at all times and has helped immensely to shake the political firmament of the State and make it more interesting.
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As a Minister in President Buhari's cabinent, the future remains very bright for him, just as he is definitely going to contest the next Guber election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), a platform in which he contested the 2019 Gubernatorial election in the State.
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His Youthful nature will really combine to work favourably for him come 2023.
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DR. ALEX OTTI
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[caption id="attachment_47353" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Dr. Alex Otti OFR[/caption]
Dr. Alex Otti can be likened to a cat with nine lives. He is a strong politician in Abia State and the only man whose entry into Abia politics has immensely changed the dynamics and political workings of the State.
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He is loved by the people and where ever he went, he cut the peoples attention due to his enigmatic disposition and likeable personality.
He contested the Governorship election in 2015 and 2019 on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) but lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite he has constantly said he was rigged out.
Paundits believed he is likely going to contest the next election, but what is confusing at the moment among the people is that no one can say under what platform Dr. Otti is likely coming out in 2023, but they are vehemently sure that it will not be APGA as the party is already factionalized and almost in tatters in the State.
The ruling All Progressives Congress will definitely become the beautiful bride as events about to unfold indicates that there will be a lot of inter and intra-party defections ahead of 2023.
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Will Dr. Alex Otti achieve his dream of governing Abia State after two unsuccessful outing? Only time will tell.
SENATOR ENYINNAYA ABARIBE
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[caption id="attachment_53059" align="alignnone" width="960"] Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe[/caption]
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Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is a political heavy weight and a household politician not only in Abia State, but Nigeria as a whole. He was a Deputy Governor of Abia State between 1999 to 2003 and in 2007 he contested and won the Abia South Senatorial District and has been in the Senate till date.
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Although the Gubernatorial zoning arrangement does not seem to favour him come 2023, but he is likely going to contest the forthcoming election, irrespective of zoning arrangement.
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It is believed in some quarters that Senator Abaribe wants a new zoning formular mapped out in the State, which will make it possible for Abia South Senatorial District to field a possible candidate despite the fact that some one from the zone is presently occupying the Government House in Umuahia.
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Wheather he will contest or not come 2023, still remains an issue to be discuss for another time.
RT. HON. SIR UDE OKO CHUKWU
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[caption id="attachment_41206" align="alignnone" width="638"] Abia State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Udo Oko Chukwu[/caption]
Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu is at present, the Deputy Governor of Abia State.
He was a former Speaker in the Abia State House of Assembly and considering the zoning arrangement in the State, it favours him very well having hail from Nkporo Community in Ohafia L.G.A in Abia North Senatorial District.
Although Sir Oko Chukwu is the quiet type and seem not to be interested in political heat ahead of 2023, but indications in some quarters, has it that he will really be a serious Gubernatorial contender come 2023. He is experienced, intelligent and thorough and will make a good Governor for the State.
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It is also common knowledge that he looks more favourable to be accepted by PDP stakeholders because he is seen as a team player.
SENATOR MAO OHUABUNWA
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[caption id="attachment_39039" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Senator Mao Ohuabunwa during the press conference[/caption]
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Senator Ohuabunwa hails from Arochukwu Kingdom in Arochukwu L.G.A of Abia North.
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He was a two time Member of the House of Representatives for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency between 1999 and 2007 where he was elected the House Majority Leader.
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He is a one time Senator that represented Abia North Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
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It was widely speculated that he might likely be favoured by some political heavy weights in the State to contest the next Governorship election, but how he will achieve that is up to him. Though he is trying to recover from the 2019 electoral defeat which saw him losing to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress. If the Abia North seat is declared vacant by the leadership of the Senate, considering the incarceration of Senator Uzor Kalu, It is likely that Senator Mao Ohuabunwa may return to the National Assembly following a bye election which may soon take place in the District.
In all, he has the chances to contest the 2023 Guber election in Abia State.
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HON. DARLINGTON NWOKOCHA
[caption id="attachment_55929" align="alignnone" width="640"] Hon. Darlington Nwokocha[/caption]
The member Representing Isialangwa North/South in the House of Representatives, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha is believed to be eyeing the Governorship seat in 2023.
He is basking his euphoria on the ground that it is the turn of the people of Isialangwa of the Central to produce the next Governor of Abia State.
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No one knows how he intends to achieve this sisyphean task, but the point is that he will equally be a strong contender for the seat in 2023.
PRINCE CHRIS ODINAKA IGWE (Chrisnak)
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[caption id="attachment_55930" align="alignnone" width="600"] PRINCE CHRIS ODINAKA IGWE[/caption]
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Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe is the Founder of Chrisnak Group/Mainland Oil and Gas Ltd.
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He hails from Umunneochi Local Government Area and seems to enjoy a good relationship with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
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Indication is very high that he has a Gubernatorial ambition come 2023.
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As someone who hails from Abia North Senatorial District, the business mogul is likely to be favoured.
As event continued to unfold, it is believed that what lies ahead in Abia State politically remains be unravelled.
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2023 will really be the deciding factor in Abia State.
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— Afnews Editor