.Gov’s son woos APGA members with N50m
The People Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State may be heading to rock as the post of the next speaker in the state House of assembly is threatening the delicate peace enjoyed between the incumbent governor- Theodore Orji and governor elect, Ikechi Ikpeazu.
The ambition of the Orji’s son, Chinedu Orji, who is widely known as Ikuku to emerge the next speaker in the state may not be unconnected to the current political tussle in the state. According to reliable sources from the state, the governor’s son is hell bent on becoming the next speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly despite his naivety in the legislative arm of the government.
Sources who reveal this to our reporter said that the move for Orji to emerge the speaker is to checkmate the incoming government of Ikpeazu in case he reneges on his promise to his godfather –incumbent governor.
Orji moves to be the speaker of the state house of assembly regardless of his contentious winning at the poll and being a first timer, according to reliable sources has chosen his father’s former Chief of Staff, Cosmas Ndukwe as his deputy from Item. Apart from the fact that he is not qualified to be speaker according to some political actors in the state he is not even the anointed candidate from the PDP for the position.
Besides pushing himself to the members to be chosen, Orji according to investigations is doing everything possible to get the post. A reliable source said “He is doing everything possible to get that post. He has proposed N50m to all newly elected APGA members to come to PDP and support him. This overture is not being extended to PDP candidates who were not allowed to contest under PDP but went to APGA and won.”
While PDP majority wants Hon.. Azubuike Uzo Charles from Isiala Ngwa North is the highest ranking PDP member in the House currently and was also returned in the last election , he is also the most qualified and experienced to take the position and even by zoning from Abia central still favours Azubuike.
This new political development in the state has threatened the relationship between the incumbent who according to feelers favours his son and governor elect who sources said is rooting for Azubuike as speaker.
Highly level of politicking has ensued. Ikuku is said to be enticing other members of the state house of assembly elect with N50m each particularly from the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
According to high place source who pleaded anonymity, “In the tradition of using state money for electoral factions gains, Orji alias Ikuku is throwing money to achieve his objective.”
