Leaders from Umuahia-Ikwuano Federal Constituency has demanded that Hon. Obi Aguocha, member representing the constituency in the lower chamber be allowed to conclude his second term in office in line with equity agreement.
The constituency, made up of Umuahia North Ikwuano, and Umuahia South LGAs, had earlier in their meeting resolved to stand on the existing rotational policy in electing their representatives.
They demanded that Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North LGA where the current representative, Aguocha of Labour Party (LP) hails from, should be allowed to complete eight years for the constituency in line with the 2019 agreement.
Some stakeholders including, Hon Barrister Anderson Akaliro, the Member representing Umuahia North State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Professor Roy Mbakwe and the Councilor representing Nkwoegwu Ward in Umuahia North Legislative Council, Uzo Uko, said that their demand is in line with their I initial agreement.
“it was the agreement that allowed the candidate from Ikwuano, Hon Sam Onuigbo, to represent the constituency for eight years and should be maintained for equity, peace and balance to reign in the constituency,” they said.
Akaliro said that critical stakeholders in the Federal Constituency, reached an agreement that Hon Sam Onuigbo from Ikwuano should serve two terms which he did without interruption and urged other aspirants to shelve their ambition and allow Hon Obi Aguocha to complete eight years for Umuahia North.
The Councilor representing Nkwoegwu Ward in Umuahia North Legislative Council, Uzo Uko, contended that adherence would ensure that the polity is devoid of rancour and mistrust that otherwise could result if the race becomes free for all, where aspirants from all the Clans fight for the ticket.
Professor Mbakwe also recalled that the letters of that agreement gave impetus for Hon Sam Onuigbo, from Ikwuano, to serve eight years recalling that before the agreement each clan in the Federal Constituency had rotated the seat on a single term basis.
Mbakwe argued that going by the 2019 pact, two terms for each constituent local government has come to stay in the Federal Constituency, stressing that adherence to the agreement would ensure political stability and unity.
The erudite scholar commended the stakeholders for the agreement, saying it enhances legislative experience and efficiency with greater benefits for the Constituency and constituents.
