By Charles S. Uzoukwu
The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, has proved beyond every reasonable doubt that he is a team-builder, servant-leader, and a Man-of-the-people. When both naysayers and well-wishers alike thought the Labour Party (LP) would die under the pressure of traitors and destabilising agents of the ruling party, Otti employed his proven management skill to stabilise the party. Being an inclusive administrator, he went ahead to provide an umbrella for the distraught Abia Federal legislators who were dis-satisfied with the wrangling in the crisis-ridden All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Today, many of them are happy members of the LP family, at both federal and state levels.
Therefore, to watchers of political developments in Abia State, the termination of the over two decades of injustice that limited the tenure of local government officials to two-year-term did not come as a surprise. It’s one of the footprints of a visionary and people-oriented leader.
The two-year term for LG officials was not constitutional. Rather, it was an earlier governor’s self-serving decision to subjugate the third tier of government, hence they were labelled “Interim Local Government chairmen,” backed by an executive bill, which gave birth to the enabling Local Government Law. Yet, there was no conscious effort to conduct local government elections by subsequent PDP governors to elect substantive LG chairmen. Ending this gubernatorial anomaly is what has been interpreted as “controversy surrounding the tenure of elected local government officials,” that has now been terminated by the people’s governor, declaring that the 17 local government chairmen and 184 councillors elected in November 2024, will serve for four years.
He made the disclosure during the recent monthly media chat at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, Abia State capital.
Since the November 2, 2024 Local Government polls, there have been speculations that the tenure of current grassroots administrators would expire in November 2026, based on the existing two-year term in operation.
However, Otti disclosed that the Abia State House of Assembly had amended the LG law shortly before the election, with a view to extending the tenure to four years.
His words: “Before the election, we (the executive) went to the House of Assembly to amend the law; and the House gave the LG mayors four years.”
As a result, the current chairmen and councillors are expected to remain in office till 2028.
Kudos to our action governor who also used the opportunity to announce the setting up of a technology-driven Citizen Engagement Centre, to deepen inclusive governance and allow residents direct access to government.
The LG tenure extension is widely celebrated and appreciated by chairmen who had spent so much during campaigns and made promises to the electorate, which could have been hardly fulfilled in two years. However, this gesture is not an isolated case but rather another icing on the hardworking governor’s effort to make the Labour Party a home for all, irrespective of creed or religion. One can only add that it’s perpetual mandate for Dr Alex Otti – Labour Party on course in Abia State.
Before the LP convention following the humiliating exit of the 5th Columnists, the former Secretary-General of the party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, had earlier resigned his appointment voluntarily to pursue recovery of his Abia Central senatorial mandate. Recall that his first term was questionably terminated through a controversial Appeal court verdict. However, pundits and informed Abuja watchers attributed this to the senator’s vocal and fearless articulation of national issues on the floor at the early stages of the 10th Senate. Many argued that such fact-based contributions made the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration uncomfortable. As a result, the Senate leadership threatened him, insisting he was being disrespectful. And like the proverbial owl that cried in the night and someone died in the morning, the court ruling did not come as a surprise to Abuja watchers. And, in their reaction to the court ruling, Abia Central voters also considered it very unfair and parochial, given that Nwokocha’s victory at the polls was transparent and indisputable. Anyway, such is the hallmark of Africa’s version of democracy and partisan politics. Having put the loss behind him, the senator is now focused on the upcoming elections 2027.
On his part, Hon Obinna Aguocha, Member, House of Representatives, Umuahia North/South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency, is equal to the demands of his legislative mandate in the red chamber. The 59-year-old Educationist and business man is first-term legislator in the 10th National Assembly. He holds a Masters’ degree in Business Administration. This combines with his other areas of specialization to enhance his versatility and quality of contribution to motions and debates in the House. Also to his credit, Aguocha was popularly known as a grassroots politician in the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party, from where he defected to join like-minds in the Labour Party.
Being a positive mind, he was naturally attracted to LP by the leadership and managerial skill of the Abia State Governor and leader of the party, Alex Otti. Same appeal applies to former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) legislators, such as Senator Enyinnaya Abaraibe, representing Abia South Senatorial District in the upper chambers, and Alexander Ikwechegh, Member, House of Representatives, Aba North/South in the lower house under the APGA platform. Both are now bona fide members of LP family.
Talking about legislative activism in the lower chambers, Aguocha stands tall with a record 12 bills from June 2023 to 2024. He boasts a robust performance record that dwarfs those of the above mentioned former APGA legislators. In fact, within the period under review, Ikwechegh was yet to make any contribution – either in bills or motions. Aguocha also outperformed the rest Abia Federal legislators, namely: (Arochukwu/Ohafia, Umunneochi/Isukwuato, Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo, and Ukwa East/West). The only exception is the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu (Bende), with 30 bills in his docket. Ginger Obinna Onwuasibe (Isiala Ngwa North/South) with only 2 bills however, boasts an enviable record of legislative experience and unmatched delivery of community projects.
Born 1972, Onwuasibe was first elected Councillor, Isiala Ngwa North, in 1998 at 26. His sterling performance earned him Chair, Abia State Councillors’ Forum and Leader, Legislative Council. His impact deepened with successive appointments.
As a result, he was overwhelmingly elected Executive Chair, Isiala Ngwa North LGA. In 2019 he was elected into the Abia State House of Assembly. His tenure was marked by impactful legislation and far-reaching constituency projects, such as schools, solar lighting, mini-stadia, road maintenance, provision of transformers, educational support and youth empowerment schemes. This robust achievement was facilitated by his Otawike Youth Initiative. Such dedication has earned him numerous chieftaincy titles and honours. In 2023, he was the people’s choice as Isiala Ngwa North/ South Federal Constituency representative in the Lower chamber.
Current Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes in the 10th National Assembly, Onwuasibe has distinguished himself through high-impact bills and motions, initiating political solutions to the intractable insecurity challenge. Besides, he has executed constituency projects, including revival of the popular but long neglected Nsulu Games Village, resolving students’ tuition concerns, tackling erosion menace even as he promotes justice and accountability in security operations.
A devoted family man, Onwuasibe doubles as the Traditional Prime Minister of Amapu Ntigha Autonomous Community. A celebrated public servant, his leadership profile continues to inspire hope, dignity, and progress among his people, especially the youth.
Charles S. Uzoukwu, is the secretary of Umuahia North Local Government.
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