Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A leading House of Representatives aspirant for Ikwuano-Umuahia Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election, Hon. Obilo Ogbonna, has claimed that the Ohuhu clan of the late Premier of the Eastern region, Dr. Michael Okpara, has been politically excluded despite the huge contributions and sacrifices of their son towards the development of the former region.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain said the development was the wrong way political stakeholders in the constituency would reciprocate the heroic efforts of the late Premier.
He argued that Ohuhu clan remained the only clan in Umuahia North that had not tasted the federal constituency seat which is rotated between Umuahia and Ikwuano clans.
Hon. Ogbonna who insisted that justice and equity demand that it would be the turn of Ohuhu clan to produce the occupant of the seat in 2023, urged aspirants from outside the clan to withdraw from the race in the spirit of justice and fair play, and as a mark of honour to the late Okpara.
“It has been as if the constituents have forgotten the immense contributions of the late Dr. Michael Okpara to the socio-political development of the constituency in particular and the defunct region in general,” he said.
He said it was provocative that other clans some of which had even occupied the seat twice still want to occupy it for the third time without any consideration for Ohuhu clan.
“It is a pity that since the dawn of the present democratic dispensation, Ohuhu, despite its strong voting strength and availability of competent and tested leaders in fields of human endeavour has not sat on the seat.”
Ogbonna who said he would give a quality representation to the constituency if elected, expressed optimism that he would get the APC ticket.
He urged the constituents who are of voting age to get their Permanent Voter’s Card PVC before the closure of the exercise.
