That’s the slogan, an obvious and consistent fact which all patriotic, right thinking, free-born/true Ikwu-Ato sons and daughters, people of the larger District and the entire A.B.I.A citizens must align with and sing like an anthem. That has to be, for justice, fairness, equity, progress and good conscience.

To contemplate, suggest or say otherwise, by anyone, in any situation, circumstance or guise, shall be seen as a great disservice, diversionary, disrespect to Abians; to accept that a state of anarchy prevails in the state. It is safe to say that such people must, therefore, be held to account or responsible for the obvious consequences.

It is important to re-state the fact or emphasise, once more, that our agitation, as a district, is not and has never been based on political party affiliation or divide, but on zero party basis. Our philosophy of unalignment is to encourage our people to be united at the home front, as one united family, fight at the state and their respective political party levels, to secure the ticket and count on the support of the entire lsuikwuato District to the contest.

What we want, which is of primary interest/importance to us as a people, is not political party, but to produce the next A.B.I.A state governor and any political party which offers that becomes the one of choice and wins the total support and hearts of the people of our district. Period!

Our sons and daughters, who desire or aspire to contest, are assured of a level playing field, equal opportunities, the love, solidarity and support of our district to succeed. They are all in our hearts and prayers.

Consistent with tradition and to ensure that peace, harmony, love, good understanding prevail for us to live out the dreams of A.B.I.A Founding Fathers, articulated/expressed in the Charter of Equity, we urge all the major political parties in the state to cede their tickets or platforms for the 2023 Abia governorship election to aspirants from our district. If that that happens, we shall sit down as a people to discuss and agree on the way forward.

In the spirit of the Abia Charter of Equity and belief in the hard struggle, desire, dream and respect to our founding fathers’ design for the transition of power from one block to the other, which was contained therein, has been followed officially in the state.

That was the case when Dr Ogbonnaya Onu assumed power for the first letter ‘A’*or Afikpo Division. Afikpo was then part of Abia State.

It was also followed when Sen Orji Uzor Kalu, from lgbere in Abia North went next for the letter ‘B’ or old Bende Division.

Isuikwuato District or the letter ‘I’ was to go next, but we accepted the reasoning or explanation given that fairness and justice were to be considered in producing the next governor:

That accounted for why Sen TA Orji, though from old Bende, but Abia Central Senatorial Zone, had to go to ensure that the governorship did not have to stay in Abia North for 16 years or too long, if Isuikwuato District had insisted and taken their turn at the time. Fair indeed!

Then the current governor, His Excellency, Dr Okezie Victor lkpeazu is taking the turn of old Aba Division or the last letter ‘A’ in the name or acronym, A.B.I.A.

From all indications and explanations given above, the good and loyal people of Isuikwuato Distrct or the letter ‘I’ in A.B.I.A, had accepted to make the ultimate sacrifice for peace and smooth transition or rotation of power in Abia State. They supported and served in all the administrations listed above. Their son was even the chairman of the ruling party and supervised the election of the last two Governors. It was never born out of fear, timidity or ignorance, but for the love and unity of Abia.

The people of Isuikwuato District believe, rightly too, that it is now their turn to take a shot at the Abia governorship, a state they gave so much from the time of agitation to its creation, to the present day. They believe that all men and women of goodwill will give them the total and unqualified support they need to produce the next governor, for the good, progress and peace of Abia.

The best and most civilised way to agitate for power, l believe, should be based on content and superior argument, which we offer.

I am not sure any other block, whose elders or fathers participated in the fight to create Abia, was recognised by their contemporaries by including their initial in the name of the state A.B.I.A, will not fight or be encouraged to take their rightful turn in leadership.

It is important to state here that, Isuikwuato District, comprising lsuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs, joined the agitation and fight for the creation of Abia State, from the old Okigwe Division of the Old Imo state. They had to do so for the new state to meet the population requirement to be created and never looked back.

We are in a democracy and, as true democrats, must expect and appreciate people with dissenting voices and opinions, different from ours. The winning strategy is to remain steadfast, hold on to the things we believe in and fight at all fronts, with tenacity of purpose and focus.

We hope that majority of Abians, will reciprocate and give us their support, for the good of Abia.

That does it.

•Sir Dave Agwalla is the Okwadike Abia.