Despite Monarch Nod, Aba Youths Protest Against Re-Election of Hon. Azubuike

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Politics Saturday, October 18th, 2014

From Ignatius Okpara, Umuahia

The second term ambition of Hon. Uzor Azubuike, a member representing Aba North/ South Federal constituency of Abia state, on Friday suffered a setback, as youths from his area staged a protest against his re-election.

AFRICAN EXAMINER Correspondent saw the large number of the protesting youths, as they marched through the streets and later stormed the government house in Umuahia, the state capital, to express their displeasure over Azubuike’s alleged poor representation.

The protest ironically came few weeks after some traditional rulers from Aba, the commercial city of the state endorsed the Federal Lawmaker for another tenure.

The protesters informed their decision was reached after the meeting of the Aba Peoples Movement where they indicated it was resolved that no non-indigene would henceforth represent them in the Federal House of Representatives, most especially as they equally have qualified and capable sons and daughters who could represent them.

According to the spokesman of the group, Andrew Okechukwu,“For the purpose of promoting peace, equity, fair play, justice and tranquility in Abia State and Nigeria, the time has come for our own son or daughter to represent us at the Federal House”

“We the Aba Peoples Movement, after a brainstorming session in which critical issues bordering on the aged long marginalization, humiliation and denial of the fundamental right to representative democracy also resolved that indigenes of Aba should be given a sympathetic and priority consideration in their agitation for self-representation and a sense of belonging in the political scene of Abia State.”

Mr. Okechukwu argued that since the return of democracy in 1999 “no indigene of Aba has represented them in the House of Representatives.

He said Hon. Azubuike who is originally from Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal constituency, had been a member representing Aba central at the State House of Assembly for eight years before advancing to the House of Representatives to represent Aba North and South Federal constituency.

He vowed that the people would resist every attempt to get him re- elected in 2015.

When contacted for comment on the development, the legislator, said he has no reaction, because protests were part of democracy.

He said “I have no reaction; it’s their right to protest, we are in a democracy,”