Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne
Implementing Abia Charter of Equity will allay fears of domination – Ikonne
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne, says implementing the Abia Charter of Equity would allay fears of domination.
Ikonne, while interacting with journalists, promised to run an inclusive government that would ensure even development of all the three zones in the state.
Ikonne, an optometrist, is said to be the preferred aspirant of PDP members in Umunneato axis of Abia Central Senatorial Zone which belongs to Old Aba Zone.
Against the backdrop of the ongoing controversy stirred by the double zoning formula in which the Abia State PDP Working Committee zoned the governorship seat to both Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial zones; Ikonne is arguing that Old Bende (where Abia North belongs) has ruled the state for 16 years, it would be fair enough to allow Old Aba Division (where Umunneato axis of Abia Central belongs) and which has barely done eight years, should be allowed to produce Governor Ikpeazu’s successor, to equal the 16 years record of Old Aba Division.
“We must respect the 1981 Abia Charter of Equity provisions that our founding fathers drew up to promote equity, unity, and development. It was a document signed by leaders from Aba and Umuahia Divisions as it then existed,” Ikonne said.
“By reverting to the implementation of the Charter of Equity, we would allay the fears of domination. It was wisdom for our fathers to spell it out. It is not a law. People grow by making rules that will enable them to live peacefully with each other. Let the two divisions be equal. Sixteen years should equal 16 years,” he added.
He commended the party for the wisdom of Solomon it displayed in its decision on zoning.
Ikonne who is the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), pledged his commitment to equity and fairness, if he eventually emerges the governor of Abia come 2023.
“I am committed to serving our people in the best traditions and to peace and development. We must eschew rancour and speak the language of Abia as a family.”
According to him, he would run an all-inclusive government that would ensure even development of all the three zones in the state.
Ikonne, pointed to his records in both Abia State University where he was the seventh Vice Chancellor; and Abia State Polytechnic where he served as Acting Rector with a good representation of Abians as proof of the Human Resource principle that past performance is a potential predictor.
“I will work collaboratively with others to develop each part of our State according to its comparative advantage,” Ikonne promised.
“I will offer quality leadership that will bring about competencies for high performance in the State. Good governance starts with a good relationship between the leader and the led,” said Ikonne, born 15 August, 1956.
He thanked the Umunneato PDP members for their support for his aspiration.
