Ten politicians are jostling for the senatorial ticket of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Abia South District. The seat will be
vacant next year when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is now a governorship
aspirant, leaves the Senate. EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the factors and issues
that will shape the contest.
Aspirants are warming up for the succession battle in Abia State. In Abia South Zone, prominent
politicians are jostling for the Senate. The seat will become vacant next year
when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe bows
out. The senator, who is a former deputy governor, has unfolded his ambition to
rule the state.
The senatorial ticket has always rotated between the Ukwa and Ngwa ethnic
groups. Former Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, who hails from
Ohambele, Ukwa East Local Government Area, represented the zone between 1999
and 2007. He was succeeded by Abaribe,
who is from Ngwa.
Out of nine local governments in the district, Ngwa has
seven. Ukwa has two. As Ngwa people are jostling for the governorship, Ukwa
politicians are eyeing the Senate.
For now, only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial
aspirants are visible. Aspirants on the platforms of other parties have not
come out with their posters. But, sources said that some politicians are also
warming up in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives
Grand Alliance (UPGA).
PDP aspirants include
Chief Chris Nkwonta, Hon. Uzoma Abonta, Chief Solomon Ogunji, Hon. Asiforo
Okere, Hon Emeka Stanley and Chief Don Ubani. These gladiators are from
Ukwaland.
Many factors will shape the contest. From 1999, Abia has
been represented by colourful politi-cians in the Senate. Therefore, green
horns in the race may only be making a futile bid.
In Abia South, electioneering is also expensive. Therefore,
the ability of the aspirants to nurture formidable structures and regularly oil
the machinery is another factor.
In the zone, primaries are usually held for contenders. The
party has its guidelines. The ambition of
aspirants who may not be able to meet the conditions will crumble.
However, some of the aspirants traversing the nooks and
crannies of the zone to consult stakeholsers and mobilise support for their
candidature, ahead of the primaries, have what it takes to be in the Senate.
A grassroots politician, Nkwonta contested for the seat in
2011 against Abaribe, but, based on the agreement among the stakeholders,
Abaribe was returned. Nkwonta is from Akwete, Ukwa East local Government Area. he is a
successful businessman and
philanthropist. He is the
Chairman/Chief Executive of Southern Star Hotels and Towers, Port Harcourt, and
Chairman, SURE-P, Abia State. The Chris Nkwonta Foundation, which he founded,
has organised empowerment programmes for youths, students, widows, artisans and
peasants.
Declaring his ambition in Akwete, his home town, he said he
joined the race to serve the district. Sources said that the politician decided
to step down his governorship ambition and opted for the senate, following
consul-tations with stakeholders. When he declared his ambition, he also lent
support for the senatorial ambition of Governor Theodore Orji. He said Orji has
the experience to lead Abia senators in the Upper Chamber next year.
Also in the race is Abonta, a member of the House of
Representatives from Ukwa. Constituency. He also hails from Akwete.
Another contender is Ogunji, a native of Ohambele, Ukwa East
Local Government. He is the former
Cmmissioner for environment.
Okere is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.
He was first elected in 2003. The legislator hails form Ohuru, Ukwa East Local Government.
Many youths want him to leave the House next year. They said he could have performed better
as their repre-sentative.
Emeka Stanley is the Chairman of the Abia State Oil
Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC). He is from Obohia, Ukwa East Local Government Area.
He was displaced in the House of Representatives by Abonta,
who had protested against his victory at the tribunal. He became the Chairman of ASOPADEC seven
months ago, following the appointment of his predecessor, Chief Sam Nwogu, as
the NDDC commissioner representing Abia
State. many feel that it is risky for him to abandon the plum job for the uncertainly of contesting for the Senate.
Ubani is the commissioner for Petroleum Resources. He is
from Ukwa West Local Government Area. According to politicians from the area,
it may be difficult for him to achieve his aspiration because the House of Represent-atives slot, which rotates
between Ukwa East and Ukwa West, has been zone to his area. They pointed out
that Ukwa West cannot have two slots in the National Assembly. Therefore, a
source said that he has been advised to seek elective or appointive positions
at the state level.
Nation.
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