Following the decision of the Abia State Chapter of All Progressives Congress ( APC) to Zone the governorship to Abia Central senatorial zone, it has been told to ensure that all offices to be contested in 2027 should similarly be zoned.
A group, Abia North Young Professionals for Tinubu’s Mandate noted that zoning the senatorial, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly tickets among the constituencies as was done for the governorship would engender equity and fair play.
In a statement applauding the Abia APC for its bold decision to embrace zoning as a means of eliminating political marginalisation, the group’s Chairman, Dr Uchenna Kalu Akpi, lamented that some constituencies have suffered in the past because of lack of equity in the distribution of political offices.
Dr Uchenna cited Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency as an example of a marginalised area in the occupation of Abia North Senate Seat.
According to him, since the return of democracy in 1999, the area had produced the Senator for Abia North zone only once in the person of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa whereas the other two Federal constituencies that make up the zone have enjoyed it for two and four tenures respectively.
Said he, ” Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi have held the position for four terms between Senator Ike Nwachukwu and Senator Uche Chukwumereije while Bende is completing two terms under Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. It is only fair that Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency should be allowed to represent the zone in 2027″
Dr Uchenna said while he endorsed zoning he also believed in competence, integrity and capacity which, according to him, the senatorial aspirant from the area, Dr Philips Nto possessed in abundance.
He said Dr Philips Nto apart from being an accomplished academic, astute administrator and proven technocrat has acquired experience in governance.
“As a former Commissioner for Finance between 2013 and 2015 and former Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu between between 2016 and 2023, Nto has garnered enough experience to function seamlessly as a Federal lawmaker”, he declared
Dr Uchenna also said that as a youth and professional converssant with global connectivity, Dr Philips Nto was a better choice for Abia North Senate Seat than the present occupant.
He, however, maintained that Dr Philips Nto was ready to defeat any other aspirant in a free and fair primary and win the election for APC.
“We want a vibrant, educated, focused and resourceful technocrat as our next Senator, and not the person who will continue to cater for the interest of only his family members ‘”, he submitted.
