Stakeholders from Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi, the five local governments that constitute Abia North senatorial zone of Abia state met on the auspices of Abia North Forum in Abuja. The group after its meeting held at Afri-Hotel, Abuja on Saturday 24th July 2021, which was well attended by prominent sons and daughters from Abia North in Abuja issued a communiqué signed by Mazi Johnson Onwunarugwu, Chief Victor Ogbonna, Chief Ogbonnaya Okereke Akuma, Chief Iroha C. Iroha, Chief Paul Ibe, Engr Jerome Egwu and Engr Chinwuba Onyeike.
In the communiqué, the group stated that the unity of Abia North zone remains Sacrosanct and the quest for governorship come 2023 shall never be sacrificed in the alter of political docility of few patriots of the zone, which some selfish power mongers in Abia State are leveraging on to hoodwink and undermine the zone of its bid ahead of 2023. The group also expressed its displeasure over those who activities its described as centrifugal. It frowns at the centrifugal activities of some overzealous politicians and groups who are bent on distorting the order of rotation of governorship seat in Abia State for selfish and clannish interest. The forum warns that such individuals and groups who have no stake outside their zones should refrain from such parochial pursuit that may constitute a clog in the wheel of political progress of Abia State.
The Abia North Forum Abuja, in the said communiqué which was sent to ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER stated also that those conversing for equity in Abia State on the trajectory of the repugnant regional arrangements of Old Bende and Old Aba Divisions, are not only being mischievous but labouring in vain to sow seeds of discord in the state. The group advised them to have a rethink and come to realities that Abia State like every other state in the Federation is currently fashioned on tripod arrangement of Senatorial districts. The forum added that ” Abia North did not lose consciousness when the zone ceded power to Abia Central in 2007 and supported Abia South to retain it from 2015 till date, therefore any attempt to deny zone Governorship seat come 2023 will be viewed as treachery and backstabbing by the other zones”.
The Abia North stakeholders also called on all well-meaning Abians at home and in the diaspora not to jettison the intent and purpose of the Abia Charter of Equity but to which is anchored on brotherhood and politics of inclusion in the state. The forum said, it is soliciting for the support and commitment of her brothers and sisters from other senatorial zones as usual, towards power shift to Abia North.
The Forum also appreciated Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD for his developmental strides in the state, particularly for lifting Aba from Infrastructural dungeon to a New Haven for business and SME growth. The forum also adduced, that the people of Abia North shall continue to support the existing political peace and stability in the state which they say is pivotal for every sociopolitical advancement.
