By EMMANUEL ACHA

The PDP in Igboeze North Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State has barred its members in the area from contesting for the Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Stakeholders of the party in 22 communities which fall under Ozzi Sub-Constituency 1 of Igboeze North LGA, gave the directive on Monday during a town hall meeting in Ogrute.

A party stalwart, Chief Bernard Eze, said that the meeting became necessary, to address the disagreement with their kinsmen in Umunano Sub-Constituency 2.

Eze said that there was a power rotation agreement in the federal constituency made up of two local government areas, Udenu and Igboeze North.

He said that the agreement was such that the sub-constituencies, Ozzi and Umunano, were allowed the chance to produce the member currently representing the federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

He said that it was on the basis of the agreement that the incumbent Governor of the state, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from Udenu spent 12 years in the house.

He said the member representing Igboeze North/Udenu federal constituency in the house, Chief Simon Atigwe, must be allowed to complete the three-tenure cycle for his sub-constituency.

Eze said the possibility of any member of the party from Ozzi sub- constituency 1 contesting for the Igboeze North/Udenu federal constituency position had been foreclosed.

Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Public Utilities in the state, Mr Emeka Ukwuaba, said that the directive was in the interest of equity and justice.

Ukwuaba said that though Atigwe was not from Ozzi sub-constituency 1, the people were supporting him to return to the house in order to complete the third term meant for Umunano Constituency 2.

“We wish that Atigwe, who is from Umunano Constituency 2, returns to the House of Representatives to complete their third term, so that when the position shifts to us, we will go for three tenures.

“Atigwe has shown the capacity to turn things around within the time he has been there, even without being a ranking member,” he said.

In his contribution, a former Chairman, Igboeze North LGA, Mr Uwakwe Ezeja, said that the lawmaker was representing the people well in the National Assembly.

“Atigwe is one of our best. He is touching lives, changing the face of the wards in our federal constituency such that we are witnessing a new dawn.

“We have for too long destroyed our people but now is the time to project out best,” he said.

Also, the Vice Chairman, Igboeze North LGA, Mr Ikechukwu Ogbu, said that the decision to support the re-election of Atigwe was borne out of his inclusive style of leadership. (NAN)

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