……Urge other zones to comply for equity
BEVERLY HILLS, CA, February 02, (THEWILL) – The Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have formally zoned the 2015 governorship to Abia South Senatorial Zone.
The decision has before now been muted, but the Governor formally made the announcement in Aba on Saturday at a reception organised for him by the people of the senatorial zone.
He also advised the people of the other senatorial zones of Abia North and Central to jettison their intention for equity sake.
Governor Orji, while addressing a mammoth crowd at the Abia Polytechnic pavilion, said PDP as a party has adopted a policy of rotation, adding that in Abia, there is already a formula that has been put in place and which must continue to guide the zoning principle .
“That being the case, I reiterate that the next governor of Abia State shall come from the Ukwa-Ngwa of this zone. This is the reality, because the Ukwa Ngwa people have never governed the State since its creation.
“So it is all well, to ensure peace and equity. Our party, the PDP has adopted a rotation principle and that is what we are doing and continue to do in Abia. We already have a set pattern,” he said.
Orji, who spoke amid applause, said some of his Bende persons and other zones have been coming to him, urging him to allow them contest against the Ukwa-Ngwa people since they also contested against the zone in the time past.
“I made it clear what my position is on the matter. I told them that a time always come in a generation when a leader will emerge to lead the people to freedom. This is the time for the freedom of Ukwa-Ngwa people because they are the only group yet to govern the state”, he added.
However, he advised the zone to put their house in order so as not to have problem.
“Just go and organise yourselves for this cause. I would not like to have problem among you. Organise yourselves,” Orji said.
Earlier, the zone comprising of Aba North and South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo and Ukwa East and West passed a vote of confidence on Governor Orji.
Moving the motion, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who represents Abia South Senatorial Zone in the senate said the governor has performed tremendously in governance, particularly in the restoration of peace, unity and security of the state.
“This man has restored Abia to the path of progress and economic prosperity. There is peace, unity and our lives are now secured in this state courtesy of Governor Orji. That is why today, we the people of Abia State are honouring him.
“We hereby pass a vote of confidence on him to continue the work for our people,” he said.
BY EMMA UCHE, ABUJA
