THE DOSSIER: Abia battles ‘zoning or merit’

The race to succeed Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state is getting as fierce as it can be ─ not without the questions over what should be the criteria to determine his successor.

The discussion so far has centred on one parameter: zoning.

It is the turn of Ukwa/Ngwa people, according to official sentiments, which many critics have argued is effectively relegating to the background the more urgent need to look at the quality of aspirants in the fray.

Abia state is one of the most endowed in Nigeria, judging by its potential to become an industrial and trade hub, but these potentials have been lying idle for ages as the state has not as much as taken a step to aggressively pursue economic development.

So far, political considerations have determined who would be governor and who would take critical political appointments, a development that has shut out technocrats and tested private sector hands who could deploy their experience, expertise and network to galvanise the state into the modern era.

The case for or against Ukwa/Ngwa

Orji, it is said, promised the people of Ukwa/Ngwa that they would produce the next governor. On the side of equity, this would be considered perfect. The area has never produced a governor since its creations in 1991.

With nine out of 17 local governments in the state, they are not a minority as such, and they can beat their chests that they have supported other parts of the state in the past to get power and all the past leaders have come from the Bende division.

On the other hand, there is also internal rivalry in Ukwa/Ngwa, which has been working against them and seems to have been preyed upon by outsiders.

The internal division is now segregating the Ukwa from the Ngwa – the sort of challenges that come with local politics and rivalry.

While the zone is crying of marginalisation, there are also growing cries by some units and individuals alleging internal marginalisation by others.

Ukwa has two local governments, while Ngwa has seven, but Ukwa clearly dominates.

Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, is from Ukwa, and this remains the highest political rank ever conferred on any Abia person.

Obingwa, Ukwa’s neighbour, has enjoyed the privilege of having produced deputy governors: Enyinaya Abaribe, Acho Nwakanma, and Chris Akoma.

The late Chima Nwafor, from Osisioma, was the first deputy governor of the state under Ogbonnaya Onu. Ugwunagbo produced Emeka Ananaba, the current deputy governor. Emeka Wogu, from Aba south, is the minister of labour.

But the people of Umunne Ato Ngwa are complaining that they have been neglected in the Ukwa/Ngwa equation, as no political goodies are flowing their way. It appears they will also not be factored into the zoning arrangement.

The case for open race

The argument for zoning is well made, but there is always the question of “merit” ─ which says the governorship should be an open race.

Some of these positions have been pushed in hushed tones, but they are coming out into the open now, and Abia state will have to battle with it until a consensus is reached.

While Orji has embarked on a lot of infrastructural projects in the last three years, there is no denying that the state could also use some private sector experience to march forward in its development drive.

That is why some are pushing for “merit” ─ a basic criterion that emphasises competence, track record, and international contacts that can drive goodwill and investments to the state.

At the federal level, the Igbo often complain against the quota system, federal character and zoning which they claim were introduced to stifle merit and marginalise them in the scheme of things.

At the local level, as in Abia, the argument is different ─ all for political reasons.

Some of the technocrats in the race are Marc Wabara, former MD of defunct Hallmark Bank and younger brother to former Senate President Wabara; and Alex Otti, the group managing director of Diamond Bank.

Other aspirants are Nkechi Nwaogu, Uche Oga, Okey Emutchay, Friday Nwosu, Acho Nwakanma, Abaribe and Okezie Ikpeazu, who is believed to have been anointed by Orji.

Will merit and zoning go to war in Abia? Who will win?