By DON UBANI

The Bye-election to produce a replacement for late Hon Ossy Prestige of Aba-North/Aba-South Federal Constituency took place on Saturday.

It was an election, that in the main, was clearly set to test the acceptability or otherwise of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and members of his family who, within the Abia political circle, are known to be the most unfortunate thing that happened to Abia State, resultant of the eight years of Orji Uzor Kalu's misrule of the State between 1999 and 2007.

The electorate in Aba started losing their support for the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State due to the abysmal performance of Orji Uzor Kalu as Governor. The Aba Electorate systematically developed indifference to the Party and, with time, it evolved to apathy.

Though Aba is a commercial hub in the South-East of Nigeria, it has a good number of elites. They include very highly educated businessmen, professionals and others from different walks of life.

A good number of the elites are members of famous Aba Sports Club 1926. Since after the disastrous eight-year reign of Orji Uzor Kalu, hardly had PDP won any election in polling units located within the Governor's Lodge in Aba, which area includes the Aba Sports Club 1926.

One thing that no one can take away from Aba electorate is their ever readiness to appreciate performance. Once they are convinced a Governor means well for the development of the Enyimba City, as Aba is fondly called, such a Governor becomes their darling.

Before the emergence of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the State of infrastructure in Aba was abysmally at its lowest ebb.

Governor Ikpeazu decided to confront the challenge head-on. Today, the narrative on infrastructure in Aba has changed and for good.

In appreciation of Governor Ikpeazu’s commitment to returning the glory of the Enyimba City, registered voters in the polling units situated in Aba Sports Club and, through their votes, expressed gratitude to Governor Ikpeazu.

The area in question, which belongs to Ward 7 of Aba-North Local Government Area, is made up of five polling units, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16.

Interestingly, PDP cleared the five polling units, leaving APC only a very distance second.

Because of the strategic importance of the said polling units, the leadership of PDP in the State ably led by Rt Hon Dr Asiforo Okere, decided to send a crack team of members of the Party to man the units as Party Agents. Chief Chinwe Nwanganga, Chief Sam Nwogu, Rt Hon Ngozi Ulunwa, Hon Peter Aguamba, Sir Greg Esotu and Sir Don Ubani were the Party Agents that represented, protected and guaranteed electoral success for PDP.

The jinx of PDP not winning in polling units situated in Aba Sports Club 1926 has, therefore, been broken.

Like it was stated in the preamble to this piece, today's election, which amply summarizes a total rejection of Orji Uzor Kalu by the Aba Electorate, is a pointer to the Kalu family to steer clear of Abia politics. The result of Saturday’s election is a clear indication that the good people of Abia State are resolute that never again will a character like Orji Kalu direct, directly or indirectly, their affairs. They have, therefore, bidden a final bye to Mamacracy.

•Sir Don Ubani; KSC, JP, Okwubunka of Asa, originally titled this activity report “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s Infrastructural Achievements Help Break Jinx of Many Years For PDP In Voting Units In Governor’s Lodge/Aba Sports Club”.

PHOTO CAPTION: •PDP Party Agents who helped break the jinx; Chief Chinwe Nwanganga, Chief Sam Nwogu, Rt Hon Ngozi Ulunwa, Hon Peter Aguamba, Sir Greg Esotu and Sir Don Ubani

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