The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, has picked the nomination and expression of interest forms of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to contest for the house of representatives seat for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
The nomination and expression of interest forms were said to have been purchased by a group of Umuahia North/Umuahia South stakeholders.
A party source told THE WHISPERER that decision of the Speaker to join the house of representatives race was a confirmation of a report that the Speaker has endorsed the governorship ambition of Prof. Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne.
Ikonne is the anointed candidate of Govenor Okezie Ikpeazu in the 2023 governorship election.
“It is part of the deal to allow Ikonne succeed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2023. The Governor promised Ikuku the house of representatives seat for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency for him to support Professor Ikonne.
“Ikuku is going to face a very strong opposition from the Ohuhu people because it is their turn to represent the Federal Constituency,” the source said.
The decision of the Speaker to back Ikonne sources said is against the wish of his father who had reiterated his position on power shift to Abia North senatorial zone.
Senator Orji had in a statement on Tuesday last week maintained his earlier statement that the rotational agreement, known as “Abia Charter of equity” which demanded that the governorship seat of Abia State be zoned to Abia North zone be adhered to.
He warned those commissioned to set the state on fire to toe the path of peace in the interest of growth and development of the state.
According to him, “my attention has been drawn to the news in social media platforms and handles concerning Abia State governorship seat and where it is zoned to.
“Let me state categorically clear that my earlier position on the subject matter remains sacrosanct and unambiguous.
“All those working to set Abia state on fire should toe the path of peace, do a rethink and sustain the peace we have been savouring as God’s Own State.
“No one’s ambition or aspiration no matter how lofty is bigger than Abia State”, Orji further insisted.
