The Ngwa Progessives for Good Governance (NPGG), the umbrella body of Ngwa business leaders based in Lagos, has taken a swipe at Theo Nkire, a legal practitioner and former attorney-general of Abia State, over his recent comments in an interview published in a national daily on what it called “closed case” of power rotation controversy in the 2015 gubernatorial position in the ‘God’s Own State’.
In a statement signed by Chris Ukah, its convener, the group alleged that the full page published last Sunday, October 12, 2014, credited to Nkire, contains artfully created tissues of lies on the position of Ukwa/Ngwa people regarding the choice of their candidate in the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.
According to the group, contrary to Nkire’s “divisive” outpourings in the interview, majority of Ukwa/Ngwa people are opposed to politics of exclusion because it is against the principles of natural justice, equity and fairness and therefore, should not be used as a political tool to cause confusion and stoke the fire of disaffection among the Ukwa/Ngwa people
“Ordinarily, we would have simply ignored the inflammatory comments of Theo Nkire regarding the closed case of 2015 governorship controversy in Ukwa/Ngwa area of Abia State. But because we saw a high degree of distortion in the interview as it relates to the true picture of Ukwa/Ngwa position on the matter, we decided to respond to put the records straight,” the statement read in part.
The group noted that Ukwa/Ngwa people are currently busy choosing the best candidate from among the galaxy of stars on parade that will deliver dividends of democracy to the greatest population of Abians from 2015 and not to embark on retrogressive utterances.
The group also said that it is not prepared to join issues with a man who spoke with both sides of his mouth in the interview, but that it is calling on Abians to disregard the content of the interview because it was meant to please, curry favour and not for the good of Ukwa/Ngwa people.
“If Nkire meant well for Ukwa/Ngwa people, why didn’t he comment on developmental issues as they affect the welfare of the ordinary people in the area?” the group queried.“
We are taken aback that in one breathe, Nkire acknowledges that in Ngwa land, Isiala Ngwa is the head and first born and proceeds to defend an action that not only removes the two local governments of Isiala Ngwa, but also Osisioma Ngwa. He then gets into the preposterous, pleading with Isiala Ngwa, who he admits should rightfully take the first shot, to show magnanimity and forego their right to enable their ‘younger’ ones have it. What manner of equity and justice?, the group observed.
The group expressed disappointment that Nkire, who ought to couch the popular sentiments of the Ukwa/Ngwa people more poignantly because of his experience and stature, decided to embark on divisive campaign.
NPGG added that no amount of political manoeuvring, intrigues and negative information can sway the common spirit of Ukwa-Ngwa people from electing a credible son or daughter in its fold come 2015 governorship election in Abia State.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
