Stakeholders of Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State have endorsed High Chief Ikechi Emenike of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their consensus governorship candidate for the 2023 general election.
The leaders in different sectors of the economy of the state made the declaration yesterday at the end of their meeting with Emenike, who was accompanied by his running mate, Barr Gloria Akara and other leaders of the party.
Notable among them were Chiefs Kalu Nnanna Kalu and George Nnanna Kalu, Sir Albert Okafor, president of IOMA; High Chief Anayo Okeke, chairman, Azikiwe Road Tyre Dealers; Chief Chinkata Benson, chairman Plant Dealers and Allied Technicians, Port Harcourt Road.
Top members of the clergy include Prof (Rev) Frank Obasi, Revds Joseph Nwankwo, Promise Agharanya, Joshua Ekpo, and Kaycee Erondu as well as Pastors Stanley Nwankwo, ikechukwu Joseph and Christian Ogbokiri.
Others were Sarkin Hausa, Alhaji Bello Shehu ii, who was represented by Waziri Suleiman, Hossouni Amadu, Arewa Youths leader, and the secretary, Anambra Community supporting Emenike, Hon Clems Anekwe.
The rest were leaders of different state associations, town unions, communities, transporters, religions, markets, trades, academia, business entrepreneurs, pensioners, artisans, property owners, students and widows among other.
Declaring Emenike as the most credible and responsible to rescue and develop the state from its present deplorable condition, they added that they had listened to the other candidates and were not convinced of their capacity and sincerity of purpose.
Emenike acknowledged the concerns of the Aba stakeholders over the decay in the city, noting that the 24 years of the Peoples Democratic Party governance has brought retardation, underdevelopment, and insecurity and perpetuated plunderers in power.
However, he outlined his vision for Abia, assuring the people that he was fully prepared to change the ugly narrative hence they must keep hope alive.
“We have it clearly written in our manifesto what we want to do from the day we take over government. And from that day the state will not be the same again. Mark my words.”
“To demonstrate our commitment to the development of the state and the people, we will establish building blocks of development and infrastructure that will stand the test of time. We’ll create employments for the youths and empower the vulnerable.
In her remarks, the deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Akara bemoaned the near total collapse of economic activities in the city, which she noted was hitherto the pride of Ndigbo in trade, commerce, and technological innovations.
“With Emenike in power the lost glory of Aba will be restored. Enyimba City will become popular once again. Unemployment will be addressed. Decayed infrastructure will be rebuilt and the economy restored. Insecurity will give way,” she added.
In her remarks, the APC candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Dr (Mrs) Blessing Nwagba, said the state can no longer be entrusted into the hands of leaders without vision, adding that “veryone must be involved in the change we desire.”