Ngwa in Abia central won’t forfeit our senatotrial right because of PDP guber ticket – Wachuku
* Says he ‘ll never insult Ikpeazu
* Insists senate not for local champions
* Asks incompetent candidates to stop hiding under Obi’s posters
* Feels sorry for any Igbo politician working against Obi
By Steve Oko
The Young Progressives Party, YPP senatorial candidate for Abia Central, Chief Chuku Wachuku, has said that it is ridiculous for the Ngwa clan (Umunneato) in Abia Central to be expected to sacrifice their right to produce the next Senator representing the zone on the altar of the governorship ticket of the ruling party which was given to one of their sons.
Chief Wachuku who spoke with Wawa News Global and other select media platforms at his Mbawsi country home insisted that the prevailing local zoning arrangement for the senate favoured his Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area which is the only LGA from Umunneato that is yet to produce a Senator for the zone.
He explained that the seate rotates between the Ikwuano/Umuahia divide on one hand , and the Ngwa clan (Umunneato comprising Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma LGAs) divide on the other hand.
According to him, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma LGAs had already taken their turns when the seat rotated to the Umunneato divide, hence, justice demands that by 2023 when the Ikwuano/Umuahia divide will be completing their current eight-year tenure, it should be the turn of Isiala Ngwa North.
He, therefore, averred that it would be ridiculous and unfair to insinuate as already being done in some quarters, that since the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has selected its governorship candidate from Isiala Ngwa North, the Council should be satisfied and forfeit the senstorial slot to their Ikwuano/Umuahia brothers.
Going down memory lane Wachuku said:” By competence and by zoning I’m favoured. In 1999, Senator Bob Nwannunu from Isiala Ngwa South took a shot and in 2003 it went to Senator Chris Adighijeh from Ikwuano -Umuahia divide.
” In 2007 it returned to Umunneato divide and Senator Nkechi Nwogu from Osisioma took a turn. After her it went back to Ikwuano Umuahia divide where the incumbent will be completing his eight years. After him, equity requires that it will return to Umunneato clan and Isiala Ngwa North is the only LGA yet to take her turn. So, that’s why I say I’m the only one running for senate in Abia Central”.
He, however, said that he had respect for the office of the Governor, and would not castigate the Governor but accord him his full honour even as his kinsman.
The former PDP chieftain noted that even though he had since left the ‘big umbrella’ , he would not resort to casting aspersions on the Governor as such amounts to disrespect to the exalted office.
” I’m a proud Ngwa son; I won’t insult Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu simply because I’m no longer in his party. I must respect the office of the Governor because his predecessors area not being insulated by their people.
” No Igbere man is insulting Orji Uzor Kalu. No Ibeku man is insulting Senator T. A Orji. It will be stupid for any Ngwa man to insult his own brother. Even though we are not in the same party, we must learn to protect our own.
The former National Directorate of Employment, NDE, said it would be difficult for any Igbo politician to work against the interest of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi in 2023.
He noted that the nation-wide clamour for Obi is based on his competence and credibility which nobody could wish away.
He said although himself belonged to a different political platform, denying the swelling popularity of Obi amounts to living in self denial.
” I feel sorry for any Igbo politician working against Obi; they have denied themselves. Nigeria is clamouring for a change and if that change comes from an Igbo man so be it. If the rest of Nigeria support him why will we work against him?
” Not only that he is competent and is able, he is the man of the moment. You can’t deny that. So, any Igbo working against him is childish. Who are you trying to please if you work against your own? You want to deny yourself to please others? I won’t do that!
” It will be difficult not to be ‘obedient’ in Igbo land! The entire South East is obedient. It will be difficult to go against the Obi factor. It will be stupid to deny who we are.”
The YPP senatorial candidate, however, said that “the Senate is not for local champions but for experienced persons who can make laws that would navigate Nigeria out of the woods.
He, therefore, argued that “incompetent and visionless candidates should stop hiding under Obi’s umbrella/posters” to seek vote but present their personal scorecard to convince the people.
The former NDE boss who said he had the competence to give his constituents quality representation at the upper legislative chamber frowned at the distribution of tricycles to youths as empowerment tools.
” Giving KEKE (tricycle) to people is not empowerment. Empowerment is something that creates job and adds economic value to families. It’s all about wealth creation, good and sustainable jobs, not distribution of rice and wrappers.”
He further argued that empowerment must be private sector driven, adding that anybody without clear-cut agenda of how to revive the Nigeria crumbling economy should not be voted into power.
” I will sponsor Bills that will give rise to economic policies that will create wealth for the nation. I will put at least 500 people in agro-industrial clusters per local government area, and 250 people per ward. I will equally create one mega private-sector driven industry per LGA.
“Empowerment must rest on Small and Medium Enterprises and the informal sector. Some of these people canvasing for votes don’t know all these because if they do, they will not be giving youths Keke as empowerment”.
Wachuku who decried godfatherism syndrome said his intention was to leverage on his position as a Senator to get and hand over power to the younger generation.
The SME expert and Development Economist, regretted that Nigeria’s economy had nosedived almost irretrievably under the ruling APC, and called for a change of Government in 2023 if Nigeria must survive.
” The ruling party has driven Nigeria more into poverty. We need a new Nigeria where selflessness replaces selfishness.
” If we desire a change, we must refocus and allow the youths to take over.”
Wachuku vowed to resolve the stand-off between the Enugu Energy Distribution Company, EEDC, and the Power Geometrics Aba over the distribution of electricity in Aba.
He said that the multi-bilion Dollar Geometric company domiciled in his constituency had to come on stream to help solve the energy challenge in the Enyimba City.
Wachuku commended the efforts of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to resolve the lingering face-off although without success, and promised to end the needles strife.
He said that he would leverage on his position as Senator, if elected to create wealth and opportunities that would translate into better life for his constituents.
End
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