Endorsing Abia Rotation Formula By Eddie Onuzuruike The gathering of the PDP Stakeholders on Monday July 21, 2014, at the Governor’s Banquet Hall had a supreme significance. The hall was full to the brim and many, who couldn’t get chairs, sportsmanly stood and waited eagerly to the speeches which they were sure would come. The opening prayers said by Elder Eke Kalu could not have been better done, in truth, it was like a comprehensive insurance as it was unequivocally the finest from a para-clergy. It was all-inclusive enough and showered praises on God asking for massive protection of all in Abia, especially the Governor. Senator Nwaka, Abia State PDP Chairman took the floor, thanking the members for their stand during the caucus that took place while he was away. He endorsed their decisions as the emphatic stand of the party and the master of ceremony promptly called on Hon. Emeka Stanley, Chairman of ASOPADEC to speak. He, in beautiful language made a motion for power rotation tilting towards Abia South Senatorial Zone. Being a party that has always been gender positive and willing to honor women, a lady, Barr. Blessing Nwagwa was allowed to second the motion but she in the process added that the affirmative action be taken seriously. At some point, she was heckled and some people argued that somebody from another senatorial zone should have seconded the motion since Hon. Stanley hails from Abia South Senatorial Zone as well as the lady Lawyer. Prof. Joshua Ogbonna, former Pro Chancellor of Abia State University, a regular conferee of previous national confabs and just back from the National Delegates Conference, 2014, was called upon. He spoke fervently and lucidly in support of the motion and the propriety of letting the South touch the mantle of office. Senator Emma Nwaka, state party chairman informed that outside ratifying the party caucus decision, that it was equally agreed that the party would pass a vote of confidence on the governor based on his performance in office and this would be done through a motion. Hon. Chidiebere Nwoke, a three-time-legislator and majority leader of Abia House of Assembly, delivered exquisitely and fluently, citing laws, invoking conventions and precedents, through which he acclaimed the governor’s high performance index and approval ratings. This was supported by Mao Ohuabunwa, a two-time Federal Legislator and the leader of Fellow Better Organization. At some point, the military man in the National Deputy Chairman, South East PDP, Rtd. Col. Akobundu came to the fore when he stood up to tell members that the decision of the caucus is not subject to question but as democrats, they saw the need for ratification by the Stake Holders in order to show the degree of transparency since the matter at hand was of prime importance. He advised further that this noble gesture of the party shouldn’t be abused via heckling and undue rows. For summary, the Governor, leader of the party in the state was called to respond having been acknowledged in popularity and approval ratings as communicated by the vote of confidence conducted by voice vote. He spoke fondly, running the longest protocol list ever. For a man who has been in the habit of speechmaking on regular basis, he knew the effects of recognition and acknowledgement of specific individuals. He did this happily and even went further to educate the lady on the high level of gender sensitivity in Abia. This created a happy ambience with smiles dancing on all faces. He thanked all that gathered and reminded them not to relapse into the evil past where brothers couldn’t reason as brothers. When brothers were profiled as Talibans, Abuja, or Lagos politicians. In those horrendous days, stakeholders were stick holders, who held mutual suspicion against one another and guided their drinks whenever they ever sat together. He thanked God for the present rapprochement and genuine reconciliation which was reflected in 2011 election in which PDP won with landslide scoring 6650 votes in the governorship as against a distant second position of 4500 votes. He philosophically told the members that in choosing candidates, especially the gubernatorial candidate, that God took pre-eminence, followed by the party and then Ochendo. He was greeted with a standing ovation before he called them to dinner. This is quite a landmark event fulfilling the dreams of the founding fathers of Abia State. As captured in in the presentation made by the first Premier of Eastern Nigeria Dr. M. I. Okpara, Chairman of the Abia State Movement, while addressing the Federal House committee on the verification of signatures for the creation of Abia State, Headed by Hon. Y. A. Folarunso. ‘It is well Known that no nation shall be great unless its constituent communities are happy and there is balanced development…this is to reassure friends and opponents that everyone matters, that every community matters, that no part will be neglected, that there will be no domination of any group in the state by others, that there will be even development of the state. This is what is reflected in the motto of the State ‘Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya’. Adapting Abraham Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg, Abia under God the people of Abia shall remain an entity where democracy the government of the people by the people for the people is fully exercised in conjunction with the Abia Spirit of Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya. It is therefore noteworthy that the number, 21 has become recurrent in epochal events of Abia. It was on 21st August 1981 that Dr. M. I. Okpara former Premier of Eastern Nigeria and Chairman, Abia State Movement, made the historic presentation to the House Committee on signature verification. The number, 21 came up again on Monday July 2014 as Abia PDP ratified the caucus meeting’s decision on rotation principle in favour of the Abia South Senatorial Zone. This issue of power rotation has lingered and challenged all sensibilities. It required boldness and unimaginable courage to take a stand. The rest is history. Chief T. A. Orji, a man of history has spoken when it mattered. This endorsement should be applauded. It could be recalled that the ebullient Governor has repeatedly avowed that he is a product of rotation, that it is only fair and equitable to gravitate along the senatorial zones and save Abia too many problems. It is typical of a railway line leading to the next railway station. The gains are enormous as nobody would be in doubt of whose turn it would be. The expectant zone would have time to plan and put their best foot forward. This will reduce to the barest minimum political hassles, thuggery and unnecessarily tussle. Money will be saved, lives and property protected. Our founding fathers are thus justified and vindicated at last. • Onuzuruike, a novelist and social critic, wrote from in Umuahia, Abia State. DAILY INDEPENDENT August 19, 2014
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 05:38:24 +0000
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