Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders endorses Ikonne, Ikpeazu

BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

The Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Gubernatorial Candidate in Abia State, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, as it consensus governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections.

The Council announced the decision in a communiqué issued after its meeting on Wednesday, Septmember 14, 2022, during which it also announced the suspension of her erstwhile leader, Dr. Max Nduaguibe, for alleged “anti-association”activities considered inimical to the Council.

The six-point communiqué, signed by the new leader of the Council, a former Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Eric Acho Nwakanma, and 19 other elders, said the Council preferred Ikonne to the other two governorship candidates of Ngwa extraction: Engr. Enyinnaya Nwafor and Bishop Emeka Nwankpa of Accord Party, because of his credibility, competence and pedigree.

“The Council remains resolute in accordance with the tenets of Equity, Justice and Fairness, that the governor of Abia State in 2023 should be a worthy eminent Indigene of Ukwa La Ngwa from Umunneato-Ngwa extraction in Abia-Central Senatorial District and has, based on maturity, experience, pedigree, competence, his TIGER Manifesto of Trade, Investment, Good Governance, Education and Rural Development, with emphasis on participatory governance that is anticipated to open a window of productive engagement of more than 80 per cent of Abia Youths, Credibility and Competence, therefore, today Unanimously Adopted the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State, Professor Uche Eleazar Ikonne, as her Governorship Favourite for 2023 election,” the communiqué stated while explaining the choice of Ikonne.

Ikonne is in the Abia governorship race with his running mate, Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe, currently the member of Abia State House of Assembly representing Umunneochi State Constituency.

With regard to the pioneer leader of the Council, Dr. Max Nduaguibe, the communiqué stated that he has been suspended and would be made to face a disciplinary committee over alleged anti-association and financial malfeasance.

“The Council suspends the former acting Leader of Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders, Dr Maxwell Nduaguibe, indefinitely for inexplicable and unacceptable failure to give account of money contributed and donated by Members and Well Wishers while he acted as Leader.

“That the Council, hereby, sets up a disciplinary committee to look into the allegations of financial impropriety and anti-association activities levelled against former acting Leader, Dr Maxwell Nduaguibe, and possibly recommend appropriate action(s) to be taken,” the Council resolved.

In a move to restructure the Council for comprehensive representation anchored on her natural pursuit for equity, justice and fairness, “resolved that each of the nine local government areas of Ukwa La Ngwa shall have a Trustee in the association.”

The Council, while passing a vote of confidence on Governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said it was “satisfied with the overall performance of her Son, Brother and Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, in managing the affairs of the State, with particular emphasis on peace, security and infrastructural recovery of the State, especially in Aba that was abandoned for many years before his emergence as Governor and therefore, gladly passes a Vote of Absolute Confidence in him.”

 The group therefore urged “all Members of Ukwa La Ngwa Council of Elders and, indeed, all Abians of good conscience to continue to support Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu in his stride to keep Abia a very peaceful and safe State.”

The well attended meeting, according to the communiqué, held at the Ovu Nd’Eze in Aba-North Local Government Area where the Council dispassionately discussed some critical issues that affect the peoples of Old Aba Division.

Other signatories to the communiqué included Sir Chief Don Ubani, Deputy Leader;

Barr. St Moses Ogbonna, Dr. Samson Esochai, Hon. John Onwunli, Professor Candid Ahuama, Chief Victor Ubani, Chief Chukwudi Dike, Hon. Goddy Madugba, Elder (Barr) Henry Chilaka and Barr. (Mrs) Kelly Ahunnanya.

The rest are Hon. Tony Mezie Nwubani, Mrs Rhoda Emeka, Chief John Ajuzieogu, Chief Elijah Iheanyichukwu (Mototo), Nze Jonathan Nwogu (TPM), Chief Iheanyi Agua, Sir Eugene Dike, Dr Steve Amanze and Chief Geoffrey Ikeokwu Ogbonna.