The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, says enthroning a governor of Ukwa/Ngwa extraction in Abia remains one of his greatest achievements.

Orji equally listed the elimination of the fetish tradition of forcing politicians to swear to an oath before they would be considered for appointment and eradication of kidnapping as two other achievements of his administration that would remain indelible in his memory.

“There are three significant things I remember and I say, thank God, I have made history,

It was the PDP government under my administration that abolished oath-taking in Abia politics. That is the reason why God is blessing Abia today,” he said.

Apart from enthroning equity in Abia politics, Orji, who is the immediate past governor of the state, noted that the emergence of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, an Ukwa/Ngwa son, paved the way for survival of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The Senator spoke while expressing his appreciation to the people of Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma local government areas, under the aegis of Umunneato Ngwa, who paid him Easter homage in his Umuahia home. He told his audience that PDP’s victory during the last gubernatorial polls was like extricating a prey from the jaws of the lion.

His words: “The PDP government under my leadership was able to actualise something that could have never happened based on what the Bible says about equity and fairness, based on what the Abia Charter of Equity said, by saying Ukwa-Ngwa people, this is your chance and you have to produce a governor, and God helped us. Today, we have an Ukwa-Ngwa son who is the governor of this state.

“Of all the tribulations, intimidations we underwent, they (opposition) never gave us a chance. They didn’t think we will make it but we fought doggedly. God was the only person who was on our side. The other people had surplus money, they had connection, they had everything but we had God and eventually, God manifested himself to tell them, ‘I am God’.”

TA Orji used the opportunity to thank all who supported and voted for PDP during the polls, saying if the party had failed, its supporters would have been hounded out of the state.

He said: “I want to thank all of you that have been steadfast with our party, the PDP. Those, who have, despite all odds – intimidation, harassment, sufferings – been steadfast and supported this party and voted this party and said wherever this party dies, is where I will die.

“If it was another government that came here, they will try to rubbish you. Most of you would have run away. What we are doing here is fighting a war of survival, so that you can live in Abia, contribute your quota for Abia to move to the next level.”

The Senator expressed optimism that having waded through the turbulent waters that was the electoral contest and the accompanying breadth-taking legal battles and succeeded, those wishing to pull Ikpeazu down would not succeed.

“We have a government in power. Those who are still fighting that (Ikpeazu’s) government are wasting time because if God says Okezie Ikpeazu wouldn't be governor, from the primaries he will fail. But look at the tribulations he has passed through, from the Election Petition Tribunal to the Supreme Court, and he has been succeeding. So, it becomes very important for you to support this government of Abia State which is a PDP government. Anywhere we have made mistakes, we are ready to correct such mistakes,” he said.

He assured that he would maintain a healthy relationship with the governor and would not interfere in the affairs of his administration.

He also canvassed support for the federal government to enable it to succeed.

“I will not fail also to tell you, please support the federal government because they are now in charge. The support we give them is for them to succeed because if they succeed, things will be good for every person. If they don’t succeed, all of us will suffer. But when elections come, you know where to vote,” Orji said.

Umennato Traditional Rulers Committee led by His Royal Highness, Eze Professor Boniface Obinna Dike, said they came to appreciate the former governor for standing by the Ukwa/Ngwa to produce the first ever governor from the Ukwa/Ngwa extraction. Dike led other royal fathers to confer on Orji the chieftaincy title of ‘Opuru Iche 1’ (Most Distinguished or The Special One) of Igboland, for his large-heartedness.

•Photo shows Senator TA Orji.

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