Speakers, who besieged the venue of stakeholders meeting held at the Ijere Foundation Office field at Okwulaga Afaraukwu, in Umuahia Urban Constituency have unanimously agreed that only the Governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress, High Chief Ikechi Emenike has the capacity to rescue and reposition Abia to be like other progressive states in Nigeria.
They all reached the same conclusion in their individual speeches at the occasion of the meeting hosted by the state House of Assembly Candidate for Umuahia Urban, Sir Kenneth Maduakolam Adighibe, alias Ijere.
The stakeholders meeting which was supposed to be attended by selected party stakeholders in the area turned out to become a carnival , as different dance groups trouped out to catch glimpse of the Governorship hopeful, to show their unflinching support, to Emenike, who has been severally described as one ordained by God to rescue and develop Abia.
The crowd that attended the reception, described by one Chukwudi Eme as the first of its kind in the area, spilled into the Afaraukwu main road, causing hold-ups, as people parked cars from the venue to the popular Isi-court/ Rail road junction.
While some speakers lamented the poor state of Umuahia as a state capital, others lamented the lack of government’s will to empower and rescue working and retired civil servants from the clutches of poverty and lack through nonpayment of salaries and pensions.
They all reasoned at the end of their speeches that only a God-fearing missionary like Emenike has the zeal, capacity and genuine plans to rescue the state, and give the state capital a befitting face-lift like other progressive states in Nigeria.
The Director of Ijere Campaign Organization, Dr Chuks Ukaegbu, who spoke the minds of the people said that Afaraukwu has made their choice in Emenike, as he is the only one who has the capacity to take power from the looters in Government of the state for the state to experience development.
“We have made our choice that Emenike will lead us to take power from looters in Government House so that Abia would experience real development”.
In his own speech, Adighibe, the party’s candidate for Urban constituency, a political caterpillar christened Ijere because of the mammoth crowd he pulls each time he embarks on his political voyage regretted that previous governments have over looked Umuahia as the capital of Abia State, but expressed hope that only a God-sent like Emenike will do the needful to reposition the state.
“We are hopeful that when High Chief Emenike becomes governor in 2023, he would bring joy to the residents of Umuahia, who have continued to endure absence of the necessary infrastructural facilities obtainable in any city that is used as state capital .
He stated that Emenike is the only Governorship candidate , who cannot be linked to the rot and decay that Abia has become, while others, have directly or indirectly worked towards the down fall of the state.
“Some were laundering money for the executives in governance, other were APC members in the day and PDP members, at night, receiving wages from the same government they pretend that it is not doing well. They want this evil to continue, but Emenike has been sent by God to stop it”, Adighibe said.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Umuahia Township Old Boys Association, Engr Godwin Nwosu, said that no politician would be allowed to use political party to deceive Umuahia residents again, stating that Emenike’s credibility and strong personality traversed beyond party boundaries and has endeared him to the people.
He disclosed that the Old Boys had since 1999 supported any governorship candidates presented by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), only to be disappointed as none of them have cared about Umuahia’s stunted growth.
“This time around, we have found the man who will deliver the goods and that man is no other personality than High Chief Ikechi Emeike, whose profile and acceptance has surpassed others.
Emenike who did not agree any less that Umuahia has not witnessed any significant growth to enhance its status as a state capital, as well as the solidarity and lamentations of the people said that his emergence as the Governor of the state will change the narratives.
“We are coming to change the ugly narrative of this place, Umuahia is going to be adorned with the true status of a state capital. I’m coming with a government for the people of Abia State, a government that will open up the state and create opportunities for everybody in Abia,” he assured .
He however reminded the people yearning for good governance that they must play their part to get what they desire, as it is only their votes can change the ugly trend in Abia state, advising that those who those who want freedom, must be part of the struggle.
Abia APC party Chairman, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, who spoke earlier said that APC, which is the main opposition party in Abia has this time around got it right in the choice of its governorship flag bearer for 2023.
He said that High Chief Emenike is the best candidate that is available currently to lead the state to the promised land, stating that he towers above every other candidate in the Abia governorship race and has the capacity and burning desire to rebuild the state in a very short while.
Ononogbu advised all to be conscious of the fact that only their practical support with their voting materials will make a difference in their quest for a new Abia that will be devoid of corruption. END
