The issue of the zone from which the next governor of Abia State would come became a subject of contention following alleged plot by Ikpeazu to sponsor a candidate from Abia South zone for the position.
The stakeholders stressed the need to adhere to the Abia Charter of Equity, which stipulated rotation of the governorship position among the three senatorial zones, saying it would ensure peace and harmony in the party, warning that any plan to change the plan would have consequences.
They stated this in a communiqué issued by former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Eme Okoro, and sent to the state Chairman of PDP, Allwell Asiforo Okere, through the Vice Chairman, Elder Amah Abraham.
“As democrats, we are being tested by the desire of some persons among us to pull down the strongest pillar of our brotherhood by trying to change the goal post in the middle of the game just to favour a particular team.
“Being democrats who practice what we preach, we must resist any attempt to change the cause of our history. In the present circumstances, we must be compelled by the tenets of democracy and natural justice to abide by the time-honoured virtues of equity and fairness and work towards preserving the gains of democracy in our dear state,” the communiqué reads.
Okoro said since the Fourth Republic in 1999, most states, including Abia, have enjoyed the peaceful rotation of power among the senatorial zones of each state, adding that different states call the arrangement different names to drive home the essence and benefits of rotating power among the zones.
“Some call it accord of power rotation; others call it the peaceful rotation of power. In Abia, it was christened Abia Charter of Equity by our founding fathers. The charter, which is anchored on justice, fairness and equity, has served Abia well for the purposes it was established,” he said.
He urged Ikpeazu to ensure that the peaceful rotation of power he inherited must continue seamlessly and uninterrupted, adding that “this would enable him to write his name in gold and save himself and our generation from the harsh judgment of history.
“As we approach 2023, the incumbent governor and the last beneficiary of Abia Charter of Equity has the duty and responsibility of ensuring that power transits peacefully to Abia North Senatorial zone,” he added..
“This would further strengthen the unity and political stability of the state, as well as enable Ikpeazu to leave his footprints in the sands of time,” he added.
