As Two Abia Federal Lawmakers Clash

The relationship between two federal lawmakers, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Hon. Uko Nkole both of Abia State, has continued to deteriorate.

This, perhaps, is due to their alleged conflicting interests ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Mao Ohuabunwa represents the people of Abia North, while Uko Nkole is a member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency.

Though from the same local government (Arochukwu LGA) and belonging to the same political party, PDP, both federal lawmakers are said to be sworn enemies and have found it difficult working together.

The fierce relationship was publicly displayed when the duo proposed two different bills seeking to establish a Federal Polytechnic in their constituency.

Nkole proposed that the Federal Polytechnic be sited in Abiriba in Ohafia LGA, while Ohuabunwa proposed a bill in the Senate to establish a Federal Polytechnic in Bende LGA.

On different occasions, Ohuabunwa and Nkole have claimed individual credits of attracting projects such as the reconstruction of Ohafia/Arochukwu road, reconstruction of Ndi Ebe-Abam Bridge and other ongoing state government projects to their constituency.

This quagmire has left their supporters in contact face-off and to the detriment of their constituency.

Hon Nkole’s supporters have been accusing the senator of witch-hunting the House of Assembly member by constantly stalking and usurping projects attracted by him.

On the other hand, Nkole’s supporters claim that political pressure from Ohafia LGA is the reason behind Ohuabunwa`s alleged scheming and plots against the House Member.

Recently, the Forum of Abia Youth stakeholders strongly condemned the attitude displayed by the senator representing the people of Abia North.

The sociopolitical youth organization said the senator was in the habit of claiming projects attracted by Nkole.

“He feels that the only way to make Nkole take the fall for him to return to the Senate is to malign him, gang up against him and whittle down on the growing popularity of Hon. Nkole, a move Arochukwu youths have vowed to withstand with their total might.

“Facts abound to prove that Sen. Mao either out of lack of ideas or cheap political mischief has continued to meddle in projects, bills and achievements of Hon. Nkole, his younger brother who represents the good people of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency,” the support group said.

On the other hand, senator Ohuabunwa’s supporters accuse Hon Uko of constantly disrespecting and sponsoring attacks on the senator.

“We are worried and still wondering why Uko Nkole a Newbie in the Politics of Abia North could continue to insult the Personality of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa a ranking member of the National Assembly who has within his 3Years in the Senate attracted several Federal Government Project to the People of Abia North,” group under the Umbrella of Abia North Progressives ANP, said.

“We are not also unaware of the Governorship ambition of Hon Uko Nkole which has already made him feel on top of the World, without respect and regard to the Elders and Political Leaders of Abia North Senatorial District.

“If we may ask Hon Nkole, how many projects has he attracted to his own People of Abam who has vowed to stop his re-election in 2019?, even his closs allies from Arochukwu Local Government Area has cautioned him to stop insulting their brother who politically is the Leader of Abia North Senatorial District.”

There are speculations that the sour relationship stemmed from Nkole`s alleged failure to support the senator during his re-run election in 2016.

Nkole was alleged to have pitched tenths with Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu who was the then governorship candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance, PPA.