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The Abia Charter of Equity is currently a rallying point of sorts for fervent divergent battles of public opinions across different divides or political spectrums of Abia State.
The intense interest and enormous controversies emanating from the current waves of debates, contentions, postulations, permutations, and propositions, closely or remotely associated with the seemingly now highly contentious issue, calls for both objective and subjective analyses.
More so, with the 2023 general elections around the corner, political permutations and speculations make the required thorough examination of the subject necessary and expedient.
Notable personalities, interest groups, political blocs and stakeholders, especially drawn from the political elite class have contributed to the debates and controversies at different times, hinged on divergent perspectives but chiefly predicated on one driving force: political interests and political calculations with inherent appeals or considerations to advance personal or groups political interests, defined in terms of clinching the highly coveted and esteemed Governorship position.
This analytical publication, is one of such contributions, with primary focus on Abia North Senatorial Zone, in the contexts of perceived possibilities of emergence of internal cracks, divisions, or infighting, among different political blocs or constituencies in Abia North geopolitical space.
Before the analysis continues, it is critically essential to lay down in concrete terms the premise, as the foundation of the thematic framework of this analysis.
Accordingly, the fundamental premise, is:
Absolutely, there is no need or any justification to support any fresh efforts to re-interpret; fashion out prejudiced, preposterous and “newly articulated” interpretations; adduce new meanings, to otherwise clear and precise Original Interpretations of the Abia Charter of Equity, simply worded in eloquence and elegance, without any ambiguities. The same English Language and Semantics used by the Founding Fathers of Abia State, who drafted the Charter and left same as a Legacy for the peaceful coexistence of Abia people, fortunately is the same English Language in common usage in every aspect of official or unofficial transactions, on daily basis. In essence, English Language has not changed in this important context, to warrant any attempts on imaginary reinterpretation of the document and clauses therein.
Closely linked to, or interrelated with the stated premise, is that there is no need to entertain in whatever guise the orchestrated concerted efforts of some persons or groups, individually or collectively, to make the Abia Charter Of Equity appear or become a controversial issue; on account of rabid political intrigues or interests. Absolutely, there are no concrete benefits derivable from these largely misdirected efforts; except on the grounds of putting in perspective the nuisance values, specifically in terms of the distractions, diversion of attention, mutual suspicions, acrimonious political atmosphere and relationships, infused into the otherwise serene polity of Abia State, chiefly by self-serving political interests and rabid promoters of these unnecessary campaigns. Sadly, it all amounts to waste of time devoted to these highly misleading and self-serving campaigns.
The third and last premise is that Abia North Senatorial Zone needs to put its house in order; with intent to form a united formidable front, to be able to withstand any opposition being mounted by rival political blocs, aimed at depriving Abia North the legitimate claim or right to produce the governor in 2023; which legitimate claim is on the basis of Abia Charter of Equity and the Rotational Principle of periodically zoning the office of governor among the three geopolitical zones of Abia State, as provided by the Charter Of Equity.
The premises and categorical inferences form the bedrock of further analysis.
The critical question at this juncture is WHY is the prospect or possibility of emergence of internal cracks or divisive schisms and tendencies imminent and ominous and considered important enough to command any attention?
Because, simply it is no more a hidden matter that some persons or groups, from the other two Senatorial Zones, particularly the Abia South bloc, are desperately unrelenting in staking serious claims to the right to reproduce the governor in 2023. Abia South Senatorial Zone’s claims are persistent, despite protests and increasing agitations by Abia North bloc laying serious claims to produce the next governor. Fundamentally, Abia North’s claims rests squarely on the basis or eternal principles of the Abia Charter of Equity and rotation of the governorship position. The same claim, coincidentally, is also being made by the other two Senatorial Zones but staked on different perspectives and agitations, equally anchored on the Abia Charter of Equity.
It is the robust presence of imminent threats posed by the ongoing raging controversies, specifically counterclaims vigorously mounted by Abia South, that justifies the need for total eradication of internal rivalries or domestic warfares in the Abia North bloc.
In this specific respect, it is highly necessary and imperative, from strategic perspectives, that Abia North becomes united and presents a united cohesive front, becomes one indivisible bloc, before it can lay with seriousness any successful claims to the governorship position in the ongoing contentious jockeying and jostling.
In the absence of such formidable united front among the component intrapolitical interest groups of Abia North, it would be next to impossible to achieve the primary goal of producing the governor in 2023, especially given the unity existing among the rival camps of Abia South.
With the possible exclusion of Bende LGA, the remaining LGAs, comprising Arochukwu, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, and Umunnechi, are basically serious contenders in the subtle political jockeying to produce a governor in 2023 of Abia North extraction. Bende LGA, theoretically, is justifiably excluded on account of two tenures of eight years in office of Orji Uzo Kalu, as the pioneer governor of Abia State in 1999, following the restoration of democratic governance, under the present dispensation in the country.
Nevertheless, excluded or not, Bende bloc and LGA, has enormous and strategic roles to play in the face of both rival claims between Abia North and any other interested zones; as well as in the contexts of intrazonal contests among Abia North LGAs for the governorship position.
Specifically, Bende LGA, sought, secured and enjoyed the supports of the rest of Abia North Zone in 1999, and in 2003 to make Orji Uzo Kalu’s ambitions successful. This fact is indisputable, essentially true, notwithstanding, the presence or interests shown in the governorship race at the time by other indigenes of Abia North; apart from Orji Uzo Kalu, who clinched the position, eventually on the platform of PDP.
With the maverick Orji Uzo Kalu, now in APC, it is not entirely unlikely that other political interests or considerations are expected to play out in view of APC’s determination to govern Abia State and current alignments and realignments. Specifically, this scenario cannot be dismissed given the rumours surrounding well known Orji Uzo Kalu’s presidential ambitions. These factors can be powerful enough reasons or factors to make Orji Uzo Kalu feel and think otherwise, in closing ranks with other political juggernauts of Abia North Zone, to secure the governorship position.
In reality, given the considerable importance of closing ranks among different elite political class in the Abia North Zone, the highly coveted governorship slot, as well as the presidential politics of 2023 are important matters in the political calendar and compass of Abia North Zone.
In effect, synergy but not rivalries or intrazone-competitions, essentially is required to serve the best political interests dear to Abia North Zone, in the context of the 2023 general elections. In line with this important understanding, it is reasonable to posit herein, in consideration of the presidential ambition of Orji Uzo Kalu, particularly the inevitable introduction of other critical variables with time, Orji Uzo Kalu needs the entire Abia North Zone, including his Bende LGA, to actualize his 2023 political ambitions; more than in fact, the entire spectrum of Abia North needs Bende LGA and Orji Uzo Kalu, to secure the governorship slot on the template of Abia Charter of Equity.
Leveraging on group synergies, cooperation, common fronts, Abia North, must appreciate the vital need to put effectively its house in perfect order, as a fundamental requirement or necessity to contend successfully with rival claimants from Abia South, particularly, insistent on retaining the governorship position, relying effectively on their numerical strength and superiority in comparison with the other two geopolitical zones.
Without the existence of a cohesive, common front, it is hardly feasible for Abia North to effectively advance its highly justifiable claims, or win outside support from the other two rival zones and political blocs. Any cracks, fractures, faultlines, or ruptures, either existing presently or potentially likely to emerge in future, need to be urgently nipped in the bud, to effectively pave way for a united, common front, in order for the zone to make any successful bids for the 2023 governorship slot .
Polarities of political parties’ differences or interests are expected to rear up, no doubt, but common sense dictates that such inevitable differences be swept aside, chiefly in the greater interest of acting in concert but not allowing the benefits attached theoritically to the provisos of Abia Charter of Equity, most essentially the provision of producing the governor in 2023, slip off under the watchful eyes of Abia North Zone, on account of internal divisions or inability to patch up differences effectively and sagaciously.
Abia North: United We must stand. Divided We crumble.
