THEO Nkire is the leader of Ukwa-Ngwa Professionals, a major organisation in the pursuit of power shift in Abia State to Abia South Senatorial District. In this interview, the first Attorney-General of Abia State reiterates the imperatives of equity, fairness and justice as the foundation of the decision…
There are concerns that the silence of Ukwa-Ngwa Professionals on the positions of different groups on the Abia 2015 governorship race indicates challenges of realising the dream.
It is not true. There are no serious challenges to our realising the dream. Ukwa-Ngwa people are united in their quest for an Abia governor of Ukwa-Ngwa extraction in 2015. This is not to say there will not be dissenting voices. There surely will be. For example, there may be people to whom Ukwa-Ngwa interest is synonymous with self-interest. Such people are for Ukwa-Ngwa governor in 2015 provided they are the candidate. If they are not the candidate, then no Ukwa-Ngwa governor. Such people abound in every community and the Ukwa-Ngwa nation has her fair share of them. Luckily for us they constitute a very negligible minority; but even as we speak, we are still wooing them to our side. We have no reason to antagonise them. After all, this is a democracy and they are entitled to their opinion. As they say, the minority must have their say and the majority shall have their way. Ukwa-Ngwa people are united; the few dissenting voices notwithstanding. We are doing all we can to win them over.
Have Ukwa-Ngwa Professionals given up on Abia South producing the governor of Abia State in 2015?
How can? Impossible. Except for the fear of appearing immodest, I can say that Ukwa-Ngwa Professionals are at the forefront of the movement for the actualisation of the dream. We lead the way even though a large majority of our members are from Abia Central. They agree that what is fair is fair. They understand it and they agree that power should shift to Abia South. Such is the nature of our struggle. We believe in fairness. We believe in justice. We believe in equity. We cannot give up.
Is the agitation for an Abia Governor of Ukwa-Ngwa origin still on course?
Yes, very much so; and it will remain on course until the battle is won, until an Ukwa-Ngwa son or daughter is Governor in 2015.
Why are so many Ngwa people opposed to the governorship being zoned to Abia South Senatorial District?
So many? It is not true. They are not many. They are very few; a negligible few. To be fair to them, quite a good number of those who at first were fizzled by the announcement are now back in our fold. They now understand that it is only fair for power to shift to Abia South. Do not forget that these are very intelligent people. As the days go by, we shall continue to plead with them and I am confident that before the party primaries, we shall all be singing with one voice again. Such is the beauty of democracy; you must respect those who disagree with you today for they may be your greatest supporters and allies tomorrow. All our people are coming together. We are not sleeping. We are working very hard to bring all dissenting voices back.
Senator Nkechi Nwaogu?
Beautiful woman. Beautiful in body and soul; and very intelligent, too. As far as I am concerned, she is an Ngwa woman in and out; anyday, anytime, anywhere. Nkechi is not from Abia South; she is from Abia Central; and there lies the problem but when the time comes, Nkechi will be the true Ngwa daughter that she is. No one loves Ngwaland the way she does. For her and for us, it is painful that we appear to be on different sides on the issue of Abia South; but that will soon be history. Trust me.
She is not just our daughter. She is also our wife; married to Dr. Nwaogu, a highly respected Ngwa son, the first Igbo man to earn a PhD in Polymer Science.
Some argue that the division among Ngwa people on zoning would cost Ukwa-Ngwa the governorship
No, it cannot. Ngwa people have never been as united as they are on the issue.
Why then is there confusion among Ngwa people about the zoning?
There is no confusion. It is not easy to build a consensus.
How can the Abia Charter of Equity which pre-dated creation of Abia State still be relevant to 2015?
The beauty of the Charter is that it is eternal; it is forever. It is founded on equity, justice and fairness. So it can never grow old. This is because a cardinal principle of justice is fairness and as you know, equity follows the law.
Is the Charter still relevant?
It is; and so shall it remain for generations and generations to come. Fairness and justice are the guiding principles of all relationships; whether it is between spouses or friends, communities or nations what is fair is fair.
There are many interpretations of the Abia Charter of Equity, how does the Charter relate to the 2015 contest?
There may be a thousand interpretations of the Charter but only one can be correct and that is the interpretation that calls for equity in the distribution of government business equally between Aba and Umuahia; between old Aba Division and old Bende Division. That is the only interpretation that is correct. That is the only interpretation that works.
And how does the Charter work today?
Well, here is how. Abia State as we know it today is made up of three zones – Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. Power went to Abia North in 1999 and Oji Uzor took the slot. Eight years later in 2007 power shifted from Abia North to Abia Central and Ochendo took it. Now tell me; what is wrong with power shifting from Abia Central to Abia South in 2015? In all honesty, is this not the natural progression of things? Is this not how things work in real life? From NORTH to CENTRAL to SOUTH? Will a shift from Umuahia North (Ochendo’s local government area) in Abia Central to Isiala Ngwa North or Isiala Ngwa South or Osisioma also in Abia Central be power shift? I do not think so. To me, that would be so much motion, but little movement.
It will be stupid of me to say that my brothers from Isiala Ngwa who dispute the shift from Abia Central to Abia South are unreasonable. No, they are not being unreasonable. They are well within their rights to say so. They are not against the Charter. Their argument is that the Charter talks of two zones – Aba and Umuahia; not three – Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. They argue it is the turn of Aba (Ukwa-Ngwa) and that they, being an integral part of Ukwa-Ngwa, should not be zoned out. Indeed, that they should take first; Isiala Ngwa being the first among Ngwa local governments. Great reasoning! Unassailable pontification. And what is the argument on the other side?
We have come a long way from the days of Dr. Jaja Wachuku and his brother Michael Okpara. Abia may be made up of two peoples, the old Bende and the old Aba; but the reality on the ground is that there are three political zones in Abia today and that political offices are best distributed along those lines. It may be painful to my brothers from Abia Central to tell them that Ochendo has taken their slot; but that is the gospel truth.
The second point that must be made is that this is not an Ngwa affair. It is not even an Ukwa-Ngwa affair. We are here talking about the office of Governor of Abia State. If it were an Ngwa affair of course, Isiala-Ngwa would take first. Ngwa people are the offspring of a man called NGWA. Ngwa had three sons. The first was UKWU, the second was NWOHA and the third was AVOSI. History has it that upon arrival in the present Ngwaland, they first settled in Umuolike near Okpuala Ngwa. From there, they moved first north and then south to populate what is today known as Ngwaland. This is why Okpuala Ngwa is to this day the traditional headquarters of Ngwa people. This is why many Ngwa people in the other five local governments of Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa, Osisioma and Ugwunagbo can still trace their roots to one or other of the three foremost sons of our great progenitor, the man called NGWA.
So, ideally, Isiala Ngwa should take first, if the office of Governor was ours to give. That is what our tradition demands. That is what we would have done if we had the powers. Indeed, the office is beyond what we as Ngwa people can give. This is why we plead with our older brothers from Isiala Ngwa that they should show that magnanimity and candour that only first sons are blessed with to their younger brothers in Abia South. Abia South shall not forget. Abia South will always remember!
To answer you directly, the zoning to Abia South is in line with the Charter; though the zones may change, the principle of equity, fairness, justice remain inviolate!
Those opposed to zoning say it is unconstitutional, undemocratic. Is zoning of political offices peculiar to Abia State?
To answer the second question first, my answer is: certainly not. Zoning is not peculiar to Abia. The Office of Governor in 2015 has been zoned in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Ebonyi, indeed, in almost all the States of the Federation. More recently, at a meeting with the President of Nigeria in Abuja, Adamawa PDP leaders reached an agreement and zoned the office of Governor in 2015 to Adamawa Central. That is why Fintiri, the Acting Governor and candidate for the October 2014 election will not be a candidate in 2015.
As for your first question, I have said it before and I will continue to say it, for as long as someone asks me, that intrinsic in the federal character provisions of the Nigerian Constitution Section 14(2)(c); 14(3) and (4)] is the principle of zoning.
Why is zoning important for the 2015 governorship race in Abia State?
Zoning is important because zoning is fair; zoning is just and zoning is equity. Zoning will reassure the people of Abia South that they truly belong; that they are not second class citizens. Abia North has been Governor. Abia Central has been Governor. Why not Abia South. Equality is equity!
What benefit would zoning of the race have for the generality of Abia people?
Zoning will bring harmony. Zoning will bring more understanding. Zoning will bring peace to Abia people.
Fears abound that zoning could deny the race quality candidates.
What a shame! Those who say so do not know the stuff of which Ukwa-Ngwa people are made. Here is a short list of what we offer Abia people and indeed, the Nigerian people:
ENYINNAYA ABARIBE
Two-term Senator of the Federal Republic; Chairman, Senate Committee on Information; former Deputy Governor, former university lecturer; graduated (2nd Class Upper Division); graduated at the top of his High School class in Ihie.
EMEKA WOGU
Nigeria’s amiable Minister of Labour; lawyer (LLM), former member, Revenue Allocation Commission, former Chairman Aba South Local Government. A loyal party man, Emeka endeared himself to the party when after winning the party primaries for Abia South Senatorial District in 2003, he surrendered the ticket when the party so requested. His loyalty and handling of the numerous labour disputes that Nigeria has had to contend with over the years, have earned him many accolades.
ACHO NWAKANMA
Former Deputy Governor of Abia State, former Speaker, former Deputy Speaker, former Member of House; holds a Masters Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Lagos.
FRIDAY NWOSU
Ngwaland’s indefatigable fighter for justice (Ikpeghe Ebeghi); lawyer, public advocate, public speaker; fighter for the oppressed. If you want to know how good this lawyer is, ask me. He started his legal practice with me. And if you want to know more, ask Governor Dickson. Nwosu fought his numerous legal battles and helped bring him the victories that led him up.
OKEZIE IKPEAZU
Abia State’s wizkid, that cleaned up Aba within weeks of his appointment as Director, Abia Environmental Agency in charge of Aba. Ikpeazu is reputed to have the magic wand to make things happen. He holds a PhD from the University of Calabar where he was a Senior Lecturer before he returned home to join politics. He has served as Chairman, Obingwa LG twice. A former Commissioner and Adviser to the Abia State Governor, Dr. Ikpeazu is not new to the corridors of power.
UCHE NWANKPA
Hon. Member, Abia State Assembly and current Chairman, Committee on Education. Uche Nwankpa is a former Local Government Chairman and Adviser to the Governor. His many years in government stand him in good stead to govern Abia. He holds an MBA from the United States.
PAUL ANANABA
Most learned SAN, Ukwa-Ngwa’s first and best, has never told anyone he is in the race. However, there is a general perception among our people that he is running. Paul has only recently completed work on his PhD in law at the Babcock University, where he is an Associate Professor. Paul is also a Member of Council at that University and legal Counsel, too.
It is also important that I mention two gentlemen whose interest in the race has only recently been made known. Ambassador Okey Emuchay was until recently, Nigeria’s envoy to South Africa. It would be preposterous for anyone to say that a man, who has ably represented our country in Africa’s second most important nation, cannot govern Abia State. The second is Chief Mac Wabara, former Chief Executive Officer of Hallmark Bank. Mac endeared himself to the Ukwa-Ngwa nation when he came second in an exercise to pick PDP’s candidate for Governor in 2007, and immediately collapsed his expansive platform across the State to support the winner, Chief Tony Enwereuzor. Ukwa-Ngwa can never forget. Ukwa-Ngwa will always remember.
Is there any one of these nine gentlemen (and more) from Abia South that cannot govern Abia State? You be the judge. However, one thing is certain: by the time of the primaries there will be only one Ukwa-Ngwa candidate in PDP.
Is Governor T. A. Orji still in support of Abia South producing the governor in 2015?
Governor Oji is a gentleman. He is solid in his resolve to support Abia South. There are no doubts about his determination to ensure equity, fairness and justice in this matter. Those who doubt his resolve are unfair to him. As recently as August 27, during the Abia Day celebrations, he repeated his support for Abia South to produce the governor in 2015 in line with equity, fairness and justice. We salute his steadfastness.
How is Abia South generating support for its cause in 2015?
We cannot reveal our strategy on the pages of newspapers. Be sure that we are winning more support as Abia people understand the principles of equity, fairness and justice.
CHAI, OUR DEDE NKIRE HAS GROWN SENILE (OPEN LAMENTATION)
How has the mighty fallen? This was my exact exclamation after reading the interview granted by our elder statesman, Dede,Theo Nkire published in different media and online portals.
How did our erudite Dede compromise himself in the blind support of a particular candidate that he is making a mess of his former exalted personality? .
Was it Dede Nkire that granted the interview and made those illogical and senseless statements?
Dede Nkire in the interview stated that “fair is fair” yet he believes that fairness will be achieved by excluding 3 Local Governments of Ngwa Land. He leads an association called Ukwa-Ngwa professionals. Does this association include our people from Isiala Ngwa North and South and Osisioma LGAs? Perhaps, time has come for the name to be changed to Abia South/Ukwa professionals. It cannot be Ukwa –Ngwa with exclusion of the crown prince of Ngwa land.
Dede, in relation to the governorship agitation of the Ugwa-Ngwa people said in one breath “yes, very much so, it will remain on course until the battle is won, until an Ukwa-Ngwa son or daughter is governor in 2015. In the other breath he advocates that “ideally Isiala Ngwa should take first. This is why we plead with our older brothers from Isiala Ngwa that they should show magnanimity and candour that only first sons are blessed with to their younger brothers in Abia South”.
Chai Dede, because you are supporting a particular candidate, you are preaching that the first son should sell his birthright?. What manner of advice! There is God oh!!.
It would have been understandable if Dede had argued that the candidates from Abia South have greater qualifications and experience. He has not said that. He is also not canvassing for his preferred candidate from Abia South on the grounds of competence. Rather, he wants other sons of Ngwa land to sell their birth rights to give undue advantage to his candidate of choice.
Going through his appraisal of the candidates, it is clear that he willfully and cunningly excluded other candidates from Isiala Ngwa including the front runner and the most competent of them all.
At least, we now know the candidate he considers a threat to his personal ambition. Little wonder, an elder like him is giving the unelderly advice, unheard of in Igbo land, asking the first son to abdicate his rights. Will he equally advocate that in fairness, Kolanut should be broken by our wife who is “beautiful in body and soul and very intelligent too?. How come you acknowledge the beauty of her body before you acknowledge her intelligence” Hmmm. She is your brother’s wife oh.
Dede, to address you directly, there is something you are not telling our people. You said “It is painful to my brothers from Abia Central to tell them that Ochendo has taken their slot; but that is the gospel truth”. The gospel according to you is that Isiala Ngwa and Osisioma are no longer Ngwa land on grounds of political expediency. You in effect have excised these three Local Government areas of Ngwa land.” Ochendo has taken their slot; ..” An Umuahia man has taken the slot of Ngwa man. Eze Njemanze once told the Military Governor of the then Imo State, thus “ Amadi, na kwa echiki” Dede Theo “nakwa echeki”. Isiala Ngwa, the first son of Ngwa, has no further right because his portion has been sold by you to an Umuahia man. That is what you said.
What then did you not say? That Isiala Ngwa will never produce Governor, because the Umuahia man has taken his turn. In future, if power rotates and comes back to the Abia Central, will the Ohuhu man not tell the Isiala Ngwa man that, no, you sold your birthright to the Ibeku man and also that your younger brother has collected the other slot on behalf of your family. When will it be the turn of Umunneato?. Tell us. Can we produce the deputy Governor like Abia South has monopolized in the past? Can we produce the Speaker?. Which one can we produce?.
Dede, have you ever considered that it will have been more honourable to continue this fight as Ukwa/Ngwa as always and secretly support your candidate like you are doing. That way the battle could have been fought and won fair and square. But in your blind hatred for a particular son of Ngwa land and fear that he will win, you have sold your soul to the devil.
Dede, we are not fooled. We know your plans. You are consistent in deceit. Have you told Ngwa people the deal you made to support a particular Ukwa man? Come out openly and say so because we know. It is no longer a secret that you agreed with Ochendo to support an Ukwa man for Governor while assuring him of support for his ambition to be senator.
Confess to the Ngwa people where your real support lie. You are partisan. We know you hate Enyinaya Abaribe and will never support him. We know that you were told to support Ikpeazu. The man you shamelessly described as having done a brilliant job in Aba as ASEPA Chief. Obviously he cleaned your compound in Aba not Aba township. Dede, you indeed must have grown senile. You are the only one who can say that Ikpeazu did a brilliant job in Aba.
You have not told us what gives you the confidence that Senator Nkechi Nwaogu will back your candidate. Have you told the Governor that the deal you are offering to Senator Nkechi Nwogu . Is he aware that you are encouraging her to go back to the senate?. Did you tell Ochendo that you have gone to see Nkechi.?. Did you give full disclosure of what transpired? You argued with confidence that she will agree to step down because told her that Chime Sullivan will upstage Ekweremadu from going back to senate and that she will naturally become the Deputy Senate President as a high ranking senator.
Since you acknowledge that she is brilliant, do you think she will fall for that? If that happens; what about your promise to the Governor Ochendo?. Will two senators represent Abia central?.
You nicodemously went to Isiala Ngwa to see another candidate. Tell us what you collected?.
Dede, remove the hand of the monkey from the plate before it becomes a human hand.
God crowns kings not individuals like you, who can sell their birth right for a plate of porridge.
Your Shenanigans and blinded desire to be relevant in the next regime by positing as the king maker will be your albatross. You will soon run away to America like you did before.
It is common knowledge that you offered Ochendo the support of Ngwa for his senatorial ambition while dangling the same senatorial support to Nkechi for your preferred governorship candidate. How will you achieve this?
Should an Ngwa man fail to win PDP primaries, the curse will be upon your head. Should an Ukwa/Ngwa man fail to be the Governor of Abia come 2015.
Theo, you will be held accountable. Obasanjo said “I dey laugh”, me too I dey laugh”, you think others are not interested in governorship of Abia. Ugwa/Ngwa mistake is that they never allowed anybody to run without fielding a candidate. There will be justifiable reasons for any other person from any other clan to successfully snatch the ticket. Keep playing games. Strong candidates from other Zones will soon take the position.
Please have a conscience