Abia 2015: 8 Aspirants Battle For PDP Governorship Ticket Titus Eleweke, in this report examines the chances of the major governorship contenders in Abia State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party As the 2015 governorship election approaches, anxiety has continued to mount in Abia State, as eight aspirants appear set to battle for the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Those poised for the battle in the forthcoming primaries slated to hold on December 8 are Chief Emeka Wogu, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Chief Okezie Iheanacho Orji, Elder Acho Nwakanma, Chief Friday Nwosu, Ambassador Okey Emuchay and Chief Marc Wabara. The primaries, according to insiders will decide the fate of PDP in the state. They are of the opinion that if the right candidate emerges, the state would have easy seal to the governorship seat whereas the PDP may be in for a shocker if it imposes candidates on the people of the state. Sources in the state reveal that, if the PDP primaries fail to meet minimum standard, the PDP may forget the state in 2015. The sources further said that if the PDP does not produce a credible and acceptable candidate, APGA may take over the state from the ruling PDP in the state. Chief Emeka Wogu Chief Emeka Wogu is the immediate past Minister of Labour and Productivity, a legal practitioner, a technocrat and an astute politician. Wogu has held several political positions including, Assistant Legal Adviser of the defunct Liberal Convention in the old Imo State and Chairman, Aba South Local Government Council. He has represented Abia State for two terms as commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and was appointed Minister of Labour on 6 April 2010. He has experience in the political terrain of the nation. In 1991, he was elected Vice Chairman of the old Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State under the auspices of the defunct National Republican Convention and later, the acting Chairman between March and early June 1993. He was made Chairman of the Aba South Local Government Council, a position he held until the military intervention in November 1993. Chief Wogu was one of the longest serving Federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, having been first nominated by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000 and re-appointed in August 2005 for a fresh five year second term. He also served as a Committee member in Diversification of the Nigerian Economy, Finance and General Purpose, Solid Mineral Development, Revenue Allocation, Tenders Board, Non-Oil and Royalties, and Fiscal Efficiency. His major challenges however, is that he did not use his positions in the past to attract government presence in Abia state, a situation that may count against him. Dr. Uche Ogah Dr. Ogah is the President of Masters Energy Group, a conglomerate with over 13 subsidiaries and interests spanning across Oil & Gas, Banking, Insurance, Aviation, Shipping, Dredging, Logistics, Construction, Travel Agency, Power and Commodities Trading. Born about 45 years ago in Uturu, Isikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, he holds HND from the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu, where he graduated with distinction in Accounting and best faculty graduating student. He proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) where he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma and also graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance from the Ogun State University and later bagged an MBA from the University of Lagos. It is believed that his Midas touch and philanthropic gesture is his magic wand to scale through the primaries. As a consummate business mogul of distinction, he had made several positive contributions to the society, which has endeared him to the people of the state especially the youths. He stands out like a colossus in the area of philanthropy and has single-handedly provided scholarship to over 4000 Abians. He has tremendously changed the fortunes of many Abians through ‘Uche Ogah Empowerment Foundation’ set up primarily for empowerment, poverty alleviation and providing education and has empowered many in their various fields. In recognition of his philanthropic gestures, the state conferred on him the title of “Oke Osisi of Abia in 2012 by the Government of the state. His supporters cut across the youths, old men and women in the 17 local governments of the state. One of the youths recently said, “Give power to Uche Ogah and it will be well with Abia, it will be well with us,” His amiable mien generates confidence and trusting interface with the Abia voting communities at home and in the Diaspora. However, his major setback is the zoning factor and the alleged endorsement of a particular candidate by the governor. Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Dr. Ikpeazu (PhD), a renowned Biochemist, is the immediate past Deputy General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, Aba and Environs and the former Head of Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Applied Natural Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology. In June 2002, Dr. Ikpeazu was appointed the first Transition Committee Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area. From 2007 to 2009, he was appointed General Manger, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme, ASPIMSS, after his appointment as Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Environment and Sanitation. He was Chairman, Governing Council, Abia State College of Health Technology, 2009 to 2010. Since the news of his alleged endorsement, many Abians and friends of Abia have not kept quiet. According to sources, this is owing to the fact that the governor has not performed to the expectation of the people as a result of which the people may not want to support any candidate endorsed by him. Many argue that Ikpeazu could have been given the needed support from Abia people had he entered the race without the backing of the governor, whose name the people do not want to hear mentioned around them with respect to the 2015 elections. Given the fact that Aba and its environs is a gory tale while Ikpeazu, who is their son is the zone’s ASEPA chairman; it is believed that this may work against him. Again, given the huge environmental taxes paid by the people without a corresponding work to show for their money, is another factor that may set Ikpeazu back. It is believed by Abians that the governor might have some shoddy dealings he wants to cover up, hence his choice of Ikpeazu widely seen as his puppet, for a successor. On the other hand, it is believed that Ikpeazu is well schooled, with a PhD to his credit. Some Abians see this as a yardstick that has stood him out as one who might have read in-between the lines to understand what democracy is all about; although, the hood does not make the monk. Abia people are now bent on prayers that providence should bring who would be in charge of the affairs of the state in 2015 and beyond with democracy dividends that had been deprived them in the present government. Chief Okezie Iheanacho Orji Chief Orji, a former Commissioner for Housing in Abia State contested but lost the PDP governorship primaries in 2007 and was appointed as commissioner. He made some impact in 2007, but it is not clear whether he will find his feet in 2015 since he is coming from one of the disadvantaged zones. It was reported that when he was nominated for the position of commissionership as a candidate from Obingwa local government area of the state, and his name was forwarded to the Abia State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation, the people of Obingwa local government rose up in protest against him. A petition was forwarded to the member of the House of Assembly representing the Obingwa East State constituency, Hon. Chilaka Onuoha, that Orji is not from Obingwa but from Item in Bende local government area of the state, and so should not be the beneficiary of the Obingwa commissionership slot. At a meeting, it was resolved that Onuoha should drop the petition and assist Orji to be cleared so that the slot will not elude them completely. Onuoha agreed and Orji was screened and confirmed. Except he clears himself, he will certainly be confronted with it in 2015. Mr. Friday Nwosu Mr. Nwosu from Obingwa local government area is a retired police officer said to be connected with the presidency and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. He is also said to have the financial war chest to prosecute the election if given the ticket. Nwosu, sources alleged, believes that with his connection with the presidency, he is already the governor of Abia State come 2015. He was said to have joined the police force the same time with Dickson, left the same time to go and study law and were at Law school the same time. He appeared a serious contender but some said that at the appropriate time, he would be called upon to make public why he left the police at the time he left and the source of his stupendous wealth. Hon. Acho Nwakanma Hon. Nwakanma is one of the serious contenders to Orji’s job in 2015. He was Kalu’s deputy when Dr. Chima Nwafor who replaced Enyinnaya Abaribe was removed. He was also Orji’s deputy when Akomas was removed. He was deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly from where he became Kalu’s deputy. Nwakanma is seen as one of the strongest supporters of the T.A. Orji’s administration both in action and in words. His loyalty is not in doubt and his structure is believed to be strongly intact and ready for the 2015 contest. In terms of loyalty, structure, capacity and the zone he hails from, he is a serious contender. However, his challenge may be funding. He may not be one of the moneybags in the race. Beyond that, Nwakanma is seen as a serious contender and an aspirant to beat in the PDP governorship primaries in the state. His political career hit its first success in 1999 when he was elected into the Abia State House of Assembly to represent Obingwa East State Constituency. In 2003, he was re-elected and subsequently named Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly until Governor Kalu nominated him as Deputy Governor in 2006. He contested the 2007 Senatorial election for Abia South Senatorial District on the platform of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA but lost to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in a post election legal battle. Amb. Okey Emuchay Emuchay was Nigeria’s Consular-General to South Africa who served the country meritoriously for the past 31 years. He will need to set up a structure and do something fast to study the political equilibrium of the state. He may be a good material for the job given his exposure and experience, but there is doubt as to whether he is very close to the governor, to the extent, that the governor can trust him with the position as it is natural that no governor can hand over to a person he does not trust. Sir Wabara is the younger brother to the former senate president, Chief Adolphus Wabara. An astute banker, Marc tried his luck in the governorship race in 2007, but lost at the primaries. Since then, he has tried to mind his business. If he does, and has the support of the former senate president, he will inherit his ‘Destiny Club Structure’ which only exists in their local government area. Marc is an accomplished banker who allegedly helped his people when he was working in the bank and who will likely do more as a governor if given the opportunity. But many factors will work against him. In his local government, he is believed to be the one who allegedly bribed INEC and PDP heavily to disqualify the late Sir Lambert Nmecha in favour of his elder brother two days to the senatorial election of 1999. The supporters of Nmecha in his local government may want to work against him unless something is done, and urgently too.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:46:13 +0000
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