When Nigerians file out on Saturday to cast their votes in the National Assembly elections, the Abia South senatorial district would be one of the centres of attraction, as former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu flying the flag of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) battles the incumbent senator, Uche Chukwumerije of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
For Mr. Chukwumerije, it will be a test of his popularity and appreciation of his stewardship for the two-term tenure he has held the people's mandate at the senate. Isikaraka, as Mr. Chukwumerije is fondly called by his admirers, came to the limelight during the war when he served as the spin doctor for the botched Republic of Biafra. He was elected to the Senate in 2003 under the platform of the PDP and in 2007 under PPA before defecting to the PDP with the state governor, Theodore Orji. Many think the senator's candidature would be of benefit to the South East as he could be a possible candidate for senate presidency if the post is zoned to the south east.
