A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and Member representing Umuahia east constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chukwudi Apugo, has dismissed talks in many quarters in the state which attributed his recent decision not to seek for third term in office on zoning.
Recall that Apugo had last weekend announced that he won’t seek for reelection for a third term in office in the upcoming general election in 2023 in Abia state.
He hinged his decision on allowing present younger generation to come on board and contribute their quota in the development of Umuahia east state constituency and Abia, at large.
But reacting to the lastest rumours on abandoning his third bid for not being favoured by current zoning arrangement among the electoral wards in umuahia east, in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, on Thursday, Apugo maintained that his decision to bow out after expiration of his current second tenure in office has nothing to do with zoning.
According to him in words, “my decision to bow out after my current tenure has nothing to do with zoning. It’s one thing to zone and another is to comply with the zoning arrangement. My predecessor stayed for 12 years on the seat, but I will only be staying for eight years by next year. I have every opportunity to also stay for 12 years but I won’t go against God.
“We have four electoral wards in the Constituency, and three of them have already endorsed me for the third tenure. They came here last week Tuesday with the communique and told me they were going to buy form for me to re-contest but I broke the news to them that I would not be seeking reelection. Immediately, the atmosphere changed. Some of them started crying but I was the one consoling them. The reason for their cry is based on the positive impacts I have made in their lives. So, it has nothing to do with zoning”.
Apugo also continued, “I’m satisfied, and need to give way so that the younger ones will also grow. I just decided to give way for others to come on board and contribute their quota towards the development of the Constituency and the state at large. Some of the people we have in places of authority want to stay tight on their seat, but I have fear of God, and I have consulted God and he told me it’s time to leave. So, I have no choice than to obey God because, if you work against God’s purpose for your life, you will crash”.
The Abia legislator further reiterated his profound gratitude to the people of Umuahia east constituency for giving him the opportunity to serve them in the capacity for close to eight years.