The Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia, Chief Onapuruagu Ukegbu, on Tuesday cautioned the people of the state against agitations for power shift.
Ukegbu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Umuahia that it was too early to bicker over the zone that should produce the next governor of the state.
He said that while it was imperative for all the zones in the state to have a shot at the Government House, such should not be at all cost.
“Power is not donated but fought for and it will be wrong to shut out other sections of the state from contesting for the governorship position,'' he said.
He said APGA was not entirely against an arrangement that could enthrone equity in the society, “but we have come to understand that zoning breeds mediocrity.
“Power is not of right and any qualified person should have the right to contest irrespective of the zone they come from.”
Ukegbu said that even if power should shift to Abia South, “the people from the zone should spearhead the move to avoid any form of imposition by the top hierarchy.
“At the moment, it is even difficult to determine the preparedness of politicians from the zone.”
Ukegbu said APGA was poised to throw up a formidable challenge to produce the next governor of the state.
“We have so much going for us and at the right moment we shall unveil our programmes,” Ukegbu said.
He was apparently reacting to the agitation by some politicians in the state for power to shift to Abia South in 2015.
Former Gov. Orji Kalu hailed from Abia North while the incumbent Chief Theodore Orji is from Abia Central.
This has given rise to the clamour by politicians from Abia South that the area should produce the next governor as enshrined in the Abia Charter of Equity.