Chief Okey Ahiwe


By Tony Icheku


There are indications that Chief Okey Ahiwe, the Chief of Staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, may emerge as Abia PDP governorship flagbearer.


The first indicators pointing to his emergence came to light when Abia PDP Executive and stakeholders retained the governorship ticket in Isiala-Ngwa North LGA where he comes from.


More steam was added to the project on Wednesday as the PDP Stakehoders in Isiala-Ngwa North  unanimously adopted him as their sole aspirant in the party’s guber re-run primary election scheduled to hold Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at the Umuahia township stadium.


Ahiwe was adopted during a  meeting chaired  by the LGA chairman, Elder Sam Esindu held at the PDP LG secretariat, Okpuala.


During the meeting, strongman of Isiala-Ngwa North politics and former Speaker of Abia state House of Assembly,  Hon Sir Christopher Enweremadu Commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, moved the motion for Ahiwe's adoption which was seconded by Chief Iyke Anugwa and unanimously adopted by  all the members in attendance.  


Enweremadu, also the  Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, speaking earlier, described Ahiwe as a suitable replacement for late Professor Uche Ikonne who hitherto was the party’s flag bearer.


He  added that  Ahiwe has successfully discharged all tasks assigned to him in the past and urged all and sundry to support him in other to ensure that the party will have a resounding victory at the General Elections.


He further commended  Gov Ikpeazu, alongside members of the party caucus in the state for once again micro zoning the Abia guber ticket to Isiala Ngwa North, maintaining that the party has by that singular gesture, exhibited wisdom, maturity and their love for the people of Isiala Ngwa North and  pledged the readiness of members of the party in Isiala Ngwa North to deliver all PDP candidates in this year’s General Elections 


Also speaking at the meeting, the former member who  represented Aba North/South in the House of Representatives, Hon Uzo Azubuike, a former chieftain of the APC,  Chief Onyekachi Onyenkwere, Dr. Sam Ahiwe, among others described  Ahiwe as a round peg in a round hole, whose personality have endeared him to the hearts of everyone and urged everyone to queue behind him for Saturday’s primary election.


Earlier in his opening remarks, the PDP Chairman for Isiala Ngwa North, Elder  Esindu said the aim of the meeting was for members to be acquainted with the recent twist of events in the polity, stressing the need for unity in LG chapter  ahead  the re-run scheduled for this Saturday.


The meeting had earlier observed a minute silence in honor of  late Prof  Ikonne. Present at the meeting were   the PDP candidate for Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, Chief Collins  Iheonunekwu, Chief Friday Onukwue, Elder G. O. C Nnaji, Hon Armstrong Okoronkwo, Mrs. Tina Atasie, the LGA woman leader, Mrs. Justina Ikonne, members of the state party Exco including Hon Godfrey Ogbonnna and Sir Peter Nwokonko, Chief Uzoma Ihuka, Chief Gauis Anyanwụ, the General Manager of Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Hon Tony Otuonye among others.


In his vote of thanks,  Ahiwe expressed gratitude to party members for their show of support and solidarity and promised to live up to expectations if elected as the party’s flag bearer.



Ahiwe: profile of an advocate of politics without bitterness


Chief Okechukwu Ambrose Ahiwe, 'Okey Ahiwe' for short, was born some 57 years ago, in Umuire Village, Eziama Ntigha Autonomous Community of Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, Abia State.

 

He holds a B.Sc, Political Science degree from the University of Lagos and his M.Sc. in the same discipline from Abia State University. 


 Ahiwe’s is a strong believer in the strength of human diversity, and his well-known proficiency in harmonization of competing interests especially in the political arena. His mantra is leadership through service – serving with the confidence of a leader and leading with the humility of a servant.


His companies - Ambrokah Investments Ltd and Powertrim Nigeria Limited are front liners in the maritime sub-sector of the oil and gas industry, supporting major multinational oil firms with wide-ranging services, including cathodic protection of oil pipelines onshore and offshore. 


 From his Umuire Village to the most expensive cities of the world, he is a well-travelled person, and often demonstrated a unique accommodating spirit, listening ears and the dignifying composure of a servant-leader. 


His footprints in support of community development initiatives, including rehabilitation of schools, road construction, education support and cultural renaissance are numerous..


Described by associates as an astute politician, Ahiwe is an advocate of politics without bitterness, and for him, loyalty to party must always be elevated above personal interests. In the years leading to the current multi-party democracy, he had been an active political gladiator under the defunct ANPP before pitching his tent, consistently, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


 In recent times, as a major stakeholder in the PDP, he has variously served in the Campaign Council for Governorship Elections in Abia State, the last being as Coordinator of Coordinators for the re-election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2019. 


He has also been part of the National Sub-committees of PDP for the conduct of Party Primaries in Cross River and Oyo States, and equally served as a Member of the Abia State Security Trust Fund. 


For nearly 10 years, Ahiwe served as pioneer elected president of the most influential socio-cultural organization in Ngwa Land, the Ngwa Patriots Forum, where his honned his skill as a compassionate leader and dispute resolution expert; He was to serve, much later, as member of the National Reconciliation Council of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. 


He was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State in April, 2022


 Ahiwe is a Knight of the Order of St. John’s International (KSJI), and has been honoured with numerous chieftaincy titles, including that of Ugomba Eziama Ntigha. He has also been honoured by many reputable organizations including churches, town unions, professional bodies, socio-cultural associations.


He is happily married to Nnenna Ahiwe and they are blessed with five lovely children.