The people of Abia North senatorial zone resident in Abuja met under the platform of “Abia North People’s Forum on Saturday, 24th July 2021 in Abuja. The forum which comprises of five local government areas such as Arochukwu, Bende, Ohafia, Isuikwuato and Umunneochi met to discuss the way forward as regards the 2023 governorship seat in Abia State.
In a goodwill message delivered during the meeting by Major General Ijioma N. Ijioma (rtd) on the theme “‘ “Ochichi Abia State 2023 is for Abia North” posited that the theme of the meeting is very apt and timely especially now that there are incipient contentious voices from unexpected quarters. He further stated that he equally understand the meeting is holding against the backdrop of musings from the people of Abia South who currently hold the incumbent governorship position, and Abia Central who produced the immediate past governor of Abia State from 2007 -2015. He said , It is on the premise of the above that he joins his voice and hands to say that the meeting is timely and right, the cause is noble.
Maj. General Ijioma opined that a gathering of this nature is very laudable and commendable .He appreciated the organizers who took the initiative in choosing to host the event at a very auspicious and most opportune time when the voices of division, voices of dissent are echoing in muted and vocal tones both to pervert history, with intention to cause discord, disharmony, with intent to usher in acrimony and bring political disequilibrium and confusion to our hitherto cherished political stability in Abia State. According to the retired general” let it be noted that to second guess the people of Abia North at this point in time is nothing but a recipe for confusion which will not bode well with anyone nor does the state any good. So, let the agents and champions of confusion and disharmony be weary of their unholy and ungodly enterprise as those who sow the wind would certainly reap the whirlwind” he adduced.
The summit which was attended by prominent sons and daughters from Abia North in Abuja resolved that “As Ndigbos we cannot afford to be condemning the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari for his exclusion policy of Ndigbo, and soon turn around and advocate, perpetrate the same political tendencies within Abia State, or against ourselves”. At the summit it was further stated that ” the Igbo people are vehemently resisting the federal government for their satanic and obnoxious policy against Ndigbo, so also will the people of Abia North in particular, and Abia State in general resist vehemently any attempt by anyone no matter how highly placed that want to cause confusion in the state”. The attendees argued that to do the above is to sow the seed of discord, acrimony and conflict which is capable of enthroning a political culture that is cancerous enough to destroy the state. No one should contemplate doing this. It is akin to the age long axiom of “throwing stones in the market, You do not know on whose head it will land”.
Ijioma further revealed that he is convinced that the political leaders of Abia State are reasonable and wise people who understand the need for Equity and Justice, both concepts of which are very dear to Igbo people. He stated that Igbo people for long are known to cherish and uphold equity, fairness and justice, and then argued that in Abia State It cannot be otherwise, so therefore, it is also for these principles that ndigbo are standing up to the present federal government over divisive policies.
“We as Igbo people in general and Abia people in this particular instance cannot afford to speak from both sides of our mouth. We cannot afford to advocate for equity and political inclusiveness at the federal level and turn around to want to subjugate the people of Abia North, or any part of Abia State”, Maj. Gen. Ijioma N Ijioma stated.
During a further media interaction with the retired general, he advised that Abia North must present its best for the governorship position.
“Abia North should not just talk about 2023, the zone must present its best for the position. The best person with experience, educational qualification and every capacity necessary to move the state forward”.
