Abia North Zone intrapolitics dynamics and 2023 By Chukwuma ShaFT Amaram (Polemics).

Previous synoptic analysis on Abia North geopolitical Zone ended concisely on an emphatic warning: “Abia North United We Stand. Divided We Crumble”.

In this analysis, more attempts shall be made to examine the “enabling/unifying” salient factors, on one hand, and “disenabling/divisive” factors, on the other hand, in the Abia North geopolitical Zone as one bloc; and as separate competing blocs in the context of the Abia Charter of Equity and the Zoning of Governorship position, specifically, with focus on intrapolitical dynamics and intrablocs political jockeying as it concerns the 2023 governorship position.

A good starting point, shall be to take a cursory look at the composition of the political-administrative divisions or units of Abia North geopolitical bloc. Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, and Umunneochi, constitute the five political cum administrative blocs of Abia North Zone.

Geographically, Arochukwu and Ohafia are located in the northwards axis, with Arochukwu at the extreme point northwards. Located southwards are Isuikwuato and Umunneochi, with the latter occupying the extreme point southwards. Located in the center is the Bende bloc and LGA, which bestrides or nestles across in the middle, providing a kind of buffer zone between the two extremities of north and south political-administrative blocs. Each of these five geopolitical-administrative areas, enjoys unique strategic strengths, but in the same token, lacks certain equally strategic advantages, or suffers certain strategic weak points.

Based on historical or cultural affinities, ample evidence shows distinctive peculiarities in the modes of linguistic dissimilarities, customs or traditions, and in terms of professions or vocations, among the different blocs in Abia North Zone. The roles or influences of high rate of population mobility, marriages across boundaries, and similar factors, have helped immensely to blur or reduce, rather than accentuate or sharpen these distinctive lines of peculiarities, over time.

The present geopolitical architecture and configurations of Abia State, referencing Abia Charter of Equity, bestows on Abia North geopolitical Zone, apparent or undeniable sense of homogeneity; despite seemingly heterogeneous identities and peculiarities commonly associated with different political-administrative units. This salient observation is very true in the other two geopolitical Zones of Abia Central, and Abia South.

Abia Charter of Equity, by virtue of carving out the five LGAs under reference, as a distinct geopolitical bloc, placed the common political fate or fortunes and survival of Abia North Zone under a common unifying zonal political “umbrella”, providing common sense of direction, identity, solidarity, and ultimately unity among the people of Abia North Zone.

Essentially, minor differences or peculiarities often associated with belonging to different political platforms, advocacies of different idealogies or perspectives, have not eliminated or robbed the people of Abia North of the threads of common sense of identity or oneness in terms of binding or bonding together to assert, defend or protect collectively the claims or rights of the Zone, whenever these become expedient. The sense of devotion to this singular act of obligations, provides a formidable foundation and motivation for the cementing of the geopolitical unity of Abia North Zone.

In another dimension, particularly in terms of external perspectives, common sense of identity and unity existing in the fold of Abia North Zone, is fortified, as a result of the impetus and powerful momentum gained from external forces largely on account of well meaning or magnanimous dispositions and wisdom on display by patriotic Abians from other geopolitical Zones. These patriotic Abians, disregarding parochial sentiments have expressly thrown their weights individually or collectively, in maximum support of Abia North geopolitical Zone to produce the governor in 2023. Relying on the express provisions of the Abia Charter of Equity, these patriotic citizens, have have presented passionate arguments in favour of Abia North geopolitical bloc as the rightful Zone to produce the Governor in 2023.

A classic example of these highly patriotic Abians is Dr. Emeka Donald Wachuku of Equity Legacy Group. In a recent interview with Allfacts Newspaper, Wachuku, Coordinator of Equity Legacy Group, declared: “our interest is to ensure that Equity prevails in Abia”. Wachuku, further declared boldly, “Anybody or group who wants to jettison the return of power to Abia North is not thinking well for Abia as a State”. In this context, Equity Legacy Group, is completely in alignment with Abia North Zone through its endorsement of the strict observance of the provisons of the Abia Charter of Equity, in the context of the 2023 governorship position.

Equity Legacy Group’s well meaning position and unambiguous statements contrast significantly with Ukasanya’s highly convoluted, dexterously diffused, dilemmatic and slippery political pronouncement to the effect that “Abia Charter of Equity is out of fashion,” also in an interview with Allfacts Newspaper. Indeed, it is encouraging and interesting to note that younger stocks of Abians, represented by the likes of Wachuku and the Equity Legacy Group, appreciate, understand, and value the true essence of Equity and peaceful coexistence, as the catalyst for the well being of Abia society, whereas certain individuals, who belong to older generation or the Old Order, are busy stoking and fanning the embers of confusion, disaffection, and disunity, unrelentingly.

Another significant aspect closely connected to external dimensions of the impetus and momentum in favour of Abia North, specifically is the issue of Statesmanship, posture, and anticipated roles of the incumbent State Governor, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, in the matrix of the Zoning equations. The Governor, essentially as a beneficiary of the system, primarily as a great Son of Abia State, leveraged on the Abia Charter Of Equity, understands the imperatives and great significance of preservation of the Sacred Sanctity of the provisions of Abia Charter Of Equity, much better than some political stakeholders, especially for continued peace and tranquility to prevail in Abia State.

Amongst other critical constitutional obligations and duties of the State Governor, principally as the Chief Security Officer, of Abia State; it is reasonable to presume that the Governor shall direct his focus beyond temporary political considerations; or intense temptations of political manipulations and maneuvering of power equations in favour of his Abia South geopolitical Zone. The State Governor, as “Father” of Abia State, must rise above political correctness or expediencies, above primordial or petty sentiments, especially in the contexts of intense pressures. The Governor, must not succumb to these pressures but be totally resolved and resolute not to compromise his position in the capacity of “Father” of the State; nor barter his personal integrity in exchange of amoral or unethical Machiavellian Principles, often associated with the “end justifies the means”; considered as the bane of amoral politics.

In the complex contexts of the roles of State Governor, it must be borne in mind that Abia South, Abia Central, Abia North Zones are all constituencies of the State Governor, irrespective of the particular Zone or bloc, LGA, or political Ward the Governor comes from. Specifically, in this particular regard, the Abia Charter Of Equity, should not be simply viewed myopically or essentially as a “Power-Sharing Formula” based on geographical or geopolitical aggregations, equations, or experiments. Such views are basically erroneous, simplistic misperceptions and perspectives of Abia Charter of Equity. Abia Charter Of Equity, in its comprehensive or robust essence, is designed and devised to ensure even distribution of political power and political offices; even distributions of social amenities and infrastructure and even distribution and spread of development across the different geopolitical blocs and landscapes of Abia State. In these important contexts, all nooks and crannies; every soil of Abia State or Zones are basically considered one political entity, made up of integral components of North, Central and South.

It is in the context of these broad insights and perspectives or universal ramifications of Abia Charter Of Equity that I disagree completely with Ukasanya’s recent sermon of pessimism, as preached recently: “Abia Charter Of Equity is out of fashion”, in a “Rejoinder” to Allfacts Newspaper. I subscribe to the notion and maintain accordingly, that Abia Charter Of Equity stands firmly, solidly, and sturdily like the “Rock of Gibraltar”.

With such critical outlook or mindset, dictating the complex balancing and sequencing art in effective leadership and management of socioeconomic or political affairs of Abia State, the State Governor shall be in a strategic position to steer the ship of the State in the right direction, and towards safe harbours. Though, certain influential members of the Governor’s “Kitchen Cabinet”, especially the Hawks or opportunistic-minded elements, as well as other influential political interest groups, no doubt, shall pile intense pressure on the State Governor, to veer off the right course, to enable such short-sighted elements to reap immediate short-term political gains. In the final analysis, it is the responsibility of the Governor to keep at bay or curtail the excesses of such political associates or interest groups, in the overall best interest of Abia State and avoid plunging the State into totally avoidable, unnecessary crisis.

Ultimately, it will be to the credit of the incumbent State Governor, to emulate the commendable examples of his predecessors in office, who adhered strictly to the spirit or tenets of the Abia Charter Of Equity in passing on the baton of the Governorship position to the rightful Zone in accordance with the dictates and provisions of the spirit and tenets of Equity, as a State Legacy.

Aforestated issues are part of the prominent highlights of unifying or centripetal factors or points of convergence in the political algebra and equations of Abia North geopolitical Zone, viewed internally or externally, in terms of political dynamics.

Similarly, divisive or centrifugal factors, no doubt exist in Abia North bloc. As was pointed out before, Abia North Zone is not composed of a monolithic bloc. The relative homogeneous or heterogeneous complex nature ultimately portrays Abia North Zone as potentially divided units jockeying for political ascendance. Two closely aligned politico-administrative axes can be easily identified or isolated accordingly.

Arochukwu-Ohafia Axis, historically, in the past comprised one unit before gaining autonomy as independent units. The long standing legacies or sense of communal common affinities and identity remain strong or formidable unifying bonds even as autonomous or independent Arochukwu and Ohafia LGAs. Separation of the once single political-administrative entity has not dissolved these bonds or ties but reinforces close cooperation in cases of expediencies, as shall be considered or X-rayed shortly.

Arochukwu-Ohafia Axis, viewed as closely allied blocs, is determined and unpretentious in its bid to produce in 2023 the governor of Abia State of Abia North extraction. Keenly interested and qualified personalities from the two-in-one Axis, covertly or overtly are gearing up preparations to contest accordingly the position of governorship on the shoulders of Abia Charter Of Equity, on the platform of Abia North Zone. APC, APGA, and PDP, as the dominant parties in Abia State, parade prominent members intent on clinching the position in 2023. Arochukwu-Ohafia Axis is in the trenches, hardworking strategically to counter and ward off perceived interests or encroachment on the position from the rival bloc or camp.

Isuikwuato-Umunneochi Axis, similarly has closely linked politico-administrative common legacies or identity. The two as autonomous or independent units, prior to separation operated as one entity, designated Isuikwuato LGA. The two blocs before the creation of Abia State, belonged to Old Okigwe LGA, before Isuikwuato LGA was carved out as a separate unit from Old Okigwe LGA. Okigwe LGA is in Imo State but curiously is sandwiched in between Isuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs of Abia State. By virtue of curious geographical demarcations and configurations, Umunneochi LGA forms the extreme tip of the Southward projection of Abia North Zone’s geopolitical architecture.

Isuikwuato-Umuennochi Axis, leveraging on persistent agitations and robust arguments of the unique place occupied by Letter or Symbol “I” and identity, in the acronym: ABIA, which “I” specifically relates to, refers to, or is identified with Isuikwuato and component units originally, including Uturu; and Umunneochi LGA, accordingly is adamant in staking serious claims as the rightful bloc to produce the governor in 2023. Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, Rtd., Navy Capt. Chris Ibe Osondu Rtd., Raymond Nkemdirim, Senator Emma Nwaka, Professor Greg Ike Ibe, Dr. Sampson Uche Ogah, Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe, are some of the Superheavy Weights and prominent personalities in Isuikwuato-Umunneochi Axis, in the vanguard of the cause.

Viewed on the basis of the two parallel, competing, or seemingly or evenly opposed Arochukwu-Ohafia axis versus Isuikwuato-Umunneochi axis, the subtle divisive undercurrents or elements earlier highlighted in existence in Abia North geopolitical Zone, apparently can be perceived to be more pronounced and sharpened, in the contexts of intra-Axes political power jockeying or jostling, in respect of 2023 governorship position contest.

Leaders of Arochukwu-Ohafia and Isuikwuato-Umunneochi axes are expected to take cognizance of the need to engage and construct “bridges” for robust dialogues and other robust mechanisms to extinguish perceived differences, de-escalate potential tensions and ultimately harmonize effectively the 2023 governorship politics in Abia North Zone, in consideration of this dilemmatic situation or scenario. This primary objective can be pursued and effectively achieved under a unifying political “umbrella”, based holistically on politics of accommodation (Egbe bere Ugo bere); principles of Rotation or Transmission of Governorship position to Abia North geopolitical Zone, in the Spirit of Abia Charter Of Equity.

Bende bloc or LGA has a major role to play, in the context of this analysis. Presumably, as the “umpire” by virtue of Orji Uzo Kalu, of Bende bloc, who governed Abia State for eight years, it becomes politically imperative for this bloc to act as “Stabilizer” in the Zone, as a non-contesting bloc for the position, theoretically. With Bende acting the part of “Shuttle Diplomacy” in the context of Arochukwu-Ohafia or Isuikwuato-Umunneochi axes, political dexterity of Bende bloc leaders is a necessity to keep in focus the primary goal and objective of Abia North Zone producing the governor in 2023, leveraging on Abia Charter Of Equity.

In 2023, anticipatorily, the pendulum of Equity principles and the governorship position shall irrevocably swing to either Arochukwu-Ohafia axis or swing to the Isuikwato-Umunneochi axis. These two blocs shall lock horns politically and one of them is destined to give Abia State a credible governor in 2023.

Only Time can tell, in the final analysis.

Abia North Zone United We Stand. Abia North We Shall Not Crumble.