The UKWA LA NGWA Elders Council has issued a public statement urging political unity and reconciliation among the political class in the zone, emphasized that without unity, the political class cannot achieve its potential or realize the aspirations of their followers.
In a statement signed by their Leader, Dr. Max Nduaguibe, the Council beseeched the political class to embark on a total journey of genuine reconciliation among themselves as brothers, without which their political fortunes will be imperiled."
The council expressed concern over the vulgar attacks on Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia State, by his own ethnic brothers, describing them as unprecedented in the state's history.
"Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is not the first Governor of Abia State, but none before him has been so insulted, abused, and attacked by their opponents and a few disgruntled elements in Ukwa la Ngwa land," the council noted.
While acknowledging that Ikpeazu had his flaws, the council rated him higher than his predecessors and frowned at the level of vituperation and disinformation being leveled against him. "We do not completely accept the argument that Dr. Ikpeazu achieved nothing for UKWA LA NGWA people in particular and Abia State in general. As a matter of fact, we rate him over and above his predecessors," the council stated.
The council also emphasized that Abia State was created in 1991, not in 2015, when Ikpeazu became Governor, and that Ikpeazu was the Governor of the entire Abia State, not just UKWA LA NGWA. "We should equally accept the fact that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu was not only the Governor of the people of UKWA LA NGWA but the entire Abia State. A fact that should have obliged us to moderate our expectations," the council said.
They warned that the attacks on Ikpeazu are not just aimed at him but also intended to demarket UKWA LA NGWA as a people. "We view these attacks as well-crafted political gimmicks not just to run Dr. Ikpeazu down but to demarket UKWA LA NGWA as a people."
The council called for an immediate cease-fire in attacks against UKWA LA NGWA people, using Ikpeazu as a scapegoat, and urged the political class to unite and move forward. "We should see whatever experience we garnered from Dr. Ikpeazu's leadership as part of our learning process. It has become most expedient for us now to once again unite ourselves politically and move forward, and to remember that a house divided against itself can never stand," the council stated.
The Council concluded by quoting a proverb: "Onye iberebe mbu onye la amaghi la ochi achiri mkpakara mkpuru ya mbu ya la ada a'chi." He also warned that the council is watching the unfolding political developments in the state and will make appropriate statements as the scenario unfolds. "Once beaten, twice shy. Long live Abia State. Long live Ukwa la NGWA Elders Council. Long live Ala UKWA LA NGWA."
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