A serious controversy is unfolding in Abia politics as Ukwa-La-Ngwa leaders reject the Could 28 communiqué backing former Governor Ikpeazu. Full story inside.
The current communiqué issued by a bunch of political figures loyal to former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has sparked a fierce backlash from throughout the Ukwa-La-Ngwa group itself. The assertion, which emerged from a stakeholders’ assembly held at Ikpeazu’s Umuobiakwa residence on Could 27, 2025, was titled “Reclaiming Our Voice, Rewriting the Narrative” and tried to reframe his tenure as foundational to Abia’s present progress. However not everyone seems to be shopping for that narrative.
In a scathing response printed by the Ukwa-La-Ngwa Progressive Leaders Discussion board, Chief Diamond Onyeamam known as the communiqué “revisionist” and “insulting to the lived experiences of Abians,” particularly the individuals of Ukwa-La-Ngwa extraction.
“Let historical past communicate for itself,” the assertion started, dismantling claims that the Ikpeazu administration—from 2015 to 2023—was marked by infrastructural development and empowerment. As a substitute, it pointed to widespread discontent, decaying infrastructure, unpaid salaries, and a normal lack of public belief that culminated in Ikpeazu’s emphatic rejection on the 2023 polls—even in his dwelling base, Abia South.
“Governance didn’t start in 2023, however accountability definitely did,” the discussion board famous, acknowledging that present successes beneath Governor Alex Otti should not simply on account of elevated federal allocations however to integrity, transparency, and efficiency—a pointy distinction to the earlier administration.
The discussion board additionally expressed deep concern over what it described as “personalisation of Ukwa-La-Ngwa id.” The communiqué’s assertion that “there’s an Okezie Ikpeazu in each Ukwa-Ngwa individual” was labelled not simply false however “insulting.”
“Our youngsters inherit resilience, not failure,” the group acknowledged. “Ukwa-La-Ngwa youth need to aspire to increased beliefs, not be shackled by political sentimentality.”
The Progressive Leaders Discussion board insists that Ukwa-La-Ngwa id is rooted in wealthy tradition, historical past, and innovation, and must not ever be lowered to a single political determine. The decision to “observe the place Ikpeazu leads” was seen as undermining the dignity and independence of a individuals recognized for important pondering and self-determination.
“We should reject efforts to make use of our ethnic id as a protect for failed management,” the group mentioned, urging Ukwa-La-Ngwa residents to prioritise reality, efficiency, and accountability over blind loyalty and political nostalgia.
The assertion concluded with a passionate name to maneuver ahead beneath a brand new banner of introspection and benefit.
“Ukwa-La-Ngwa is conscious. We select reality earlier than tribe, efficiency earlier than persona, and legacy earlier than loyalty.”
The interior division throughout the Ukwa-La-Ngwa bloc has now positioned renewed concentrate on the legacy of the previous governor—and whether or not his try at political resurgence will discover traction or resistance inside his personal yard.
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Between Legacy and Accountability: A Vital Evaluate of the Ukwa La Ngwa Political Stakeholders’ Communiqué of Could 28, 2025.
The Could 28, 2025 communiqué issued by choose political figures following a stakeholders’ convergence on the Umuobiakwa dwelling of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has attracted appreciable consideration throughout Abia State. Titled “Reclaiming Our Voice, Rewriting the Narrative,” the communiqué seeks to undertaking a resurgence of Ukwa La Ngwa id and reassert Dr. Ikpeazu’s political management. As involved voices throughout the identical Ukwa La Ngwa group, we discover it obligatory to interact the contents of the communiqué critically and constructively.
- On Legacy and the Hazard of Revisionism
The communiqué makes an attempt to raise the Ikpeazu administration because the cornerstone of present progress in Abia State, crediting it with infrastructural improvement, youth empowerment, and administrative reforms. Nevertheless, historic accuracy should prevail: the years 2015 to 2023 had been marked by widespread discontent, infrastructural decay, protracted wage arrears, and a lack of public confidence. These should not political assaults; they’re realities lived by the individuals of Abia, together with Ukwa La Ngwa residents.
The landslide rejection of Dr. Ikpeazu on the 2023 polls, notably in Abia South, was a democratic verdict on his administration. The assertion that his governance laid a strong basis for the current isn’t solely inaccurate however dangerously revisionist.
- Governance Did Not Start in 2023, However Accountability is a Should
Whereas it’s right to say that governance didn’t start in 2023, it’s intellectually dishonest to disregard that efficient governance did. Elevated federal allocations on account of subsidy elimination and higher {economic} coordination might have improved state revenues, however fiscal efficiency and integrity in management are what distinguish administrations. The try and diminish current successes by invoking prior failures doesn’t dignify previous errors, reasonably it conceals them.
- Ukwa La Ngwa Id: Not a Political Instrument
The communiqué appropriately affirms that Ukwa La Ngwa id is cultural and historic. But, it contradicts itself by anchoring that id solely to 1 particular person. A individuals of 9 native authorities areas, wealthy in historical past and expertise, can’t and should not be lowered to the picture or tenure of a single former officeholder. Management should be dynamic, inclusive, and rooted in benefit, not nostalgia or entitlement.
To recommend, because the communiqué does, that “the place he leads, we’ll observe” undermines the very dignity of a group recognized for its industriousness and independence of thought.
- The Hurt of Personalising Political Id
Maybe probably the most troubling assertion is the declare that “there’s an Okezie Ikpeazu in each Ukwa-Ngwa individual.” This assertion isn’t solely false, it’s insulting. Our youngsters don’t inherit failure; they inherit resilience, dignity, and ambition. Ukwa La Ngwa youth must not ever be outlined by the shortcomings of any administration. They should be free to aspire to new beliefs, not certain by political sentimentality.
- The Path Ahead: Accountability Earlier than Allegiance
We should resist efforts to show our ethnic id right into a political protect. True unity is constructed on introspection, not suppression of dissent. If the Could 28 communiqué was a name to unity, it missed an important component: accountability.
We name on Ukwa La Ngwa stakeholders to open a brand new chapter; one the place we measure management not by titles held, however by lives impacted; not by loyalty pledged, however by integrity demonstrated. Ukwa La Ngwa is conscious. And on this new awakening, we select reality earlier than tribe, efficiency earlier than persona, and legacy earlier than loyalty.
Chief Diamond Onyeamam
Ukwa-La-Ngwa Progressive Leaders Discussion board
