By NewsCritic Reporters
The battle for the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, ticket for the Umuahia/Ikwuano House of Representatives seat is getting intense as the Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Engr Chinedum Orji battles the President General Ohuhu Welfare Union worldwide, Chief Sir Obi Aguocha in what promises to be an epic encounter.
Engr Chinedum Orji, who is the Speaker of the 7th Abia Assembly is gunning for the membership of the Green chambers in 2023 after serving out a two-term of eight-years at the state assembly in 2023, to continue his political trajectory.
Though he is perceived to be contesting against the run of play, given that the law of natural justice, equity and fairness demand that the seat should go to Ohuhu clan, one of the clans that make up Umuahia North with their Ibeku brothers, after the later had taken their shot. Ikuku as he is fondly called is generally seen as the political war horse as far as Abia politics is concerned but this particular contest has the potency to diminish him if care is not taken.
Yet this particular race is not going to be a walk over for the Abia Speaker as many political watchers predict because for the first time the Ohuhu elders, stakeholders and delegates are able to speak with one voice concerning the race and also came up with a consensus candidate in the person of Sir Obi Aguocha.
The Ohuhu elders comprising Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Amb Empire Kanu and Chief Uzodinma Okpara for the first time in the history of Ohuhu clan, not only organised a primary for Ohuhu PDP aspirants in which Sir Obi Aguocha won, but have also went a step further to present him to the Umuahia/Ikwuano stakeholders and delegates amid fanfare as Ohuhu’s consensus candidate for the PDP primaries.
NewsCritic reports that the elders based their action on the need to ensure justice, equity and fairness in the contest for the House of Representatives seat come 2023, and to ensure that Ohuhu is not short-changed by their Ibeku brothers who had produced a former member of the House of Representatives in the person of Rt Hon Stanley Ohajuruka.
As it stands today, Obi Aguocha is running strong and looks good to cause a major upset and prove pundits wrong, who had baited on the speaker to have a roller coaster ride given his huge political war chest with which to prosecute the primaries.
Reports have it that given the uncertainty and the changing dynamics of the politics of Umuahia/Ikwuano Reps seat, the erstwhile gov of Abia and senator representing Abia Central, Chief T.A Orji has decided to come out to campaign and solicit for votes for the Speaker in a bid to enhance his chances of winning the party primaries slated for Sunday 22nd May, 2022. He is billed to visit Ikwuano and Umuahia South LGAs today, barring any last minute changes.
The implication of Sen T.A Orji campaigning for the Abia Speaker is clearly an indication that the race is close enough and could go either way, hence they don’t need to take anything for granted.
As all eyes are on the political contest between Engr Chinedum Orji and Sir Obi Aguocha, both representing different interests. For one Obi Aguocha has been able to prove that he is not a political neophyte to the extent that Sen T. A Orji has to intervention to save the Speaker from imminent defeat.
However, in all these, political observers are asking where the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s interest lies. They are also demanding that the only thing that is needed, which must be put into account is to guarantee a free and fair voting process to elect the flagbearer.
