The people of Abirba in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State resident in Aba have thrown their weight behind, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s Senatorial ambition and all the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the 2023 polls.
The community stated this at an event held in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of of Abia State.
Chief Nduka Agwu, President of Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU), Aba Chapter, expressed the people’s gratitude to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his focused development projects in both Aba and Abiriba Kingdom. He hailed the partnership between the community and Ngwa people as well as the appointment of several sons and daughters of the community into government including occupation of executive offices. Chief Agwu listed Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Chief Mba Ukariwo, Dr Okoroafor Ukiwe among others as examples of the governor’s magnanimity to the community noting that it was time to reciprocate the governor’s kind gesture.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the Governor to further help the community deal with the access road challenge at Ugwu Court Abiriba that is almost taking over the major entry road into the kingdom especially as the festive season draws near, saying he trusts the governor to also fulfil the promise he made to complete the Abiriba ring road project.
In his remarks, Chief Mba Ukariwo, the Chairman, Governing Council, Abia State University, Uturu, stated that the relationship between Abiriba and Ngwa people can best be described as historic partnership that cannot be broken and assured of its improvement.
President of Abirba Women Wing, Aba Branch, Mrs. Comfort called for more involvement of the women in the political space of Abia State as she also assured of their prayers and support.
While responding, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said he reposes so much confidence on the people of Abiriba because of not just their integrity but also their trustworthiness. He noted that the community has a way of bringing development to places they are found.
He said his decision to promote trade and investment in Abia especially Aba is to ensure that the people of Abiriba who are mostly business people prosper more along with others.
The Governor added that his vision for Abia South Senatorial district is to ensure that federal government presence is felt in practical terms in the constituency and noted that the time has come for the people to have someone in the red chamber who has the capacity to change the narratives for good. He lamented the state of Aba-Port Harcourt segment of Enugu-Port Harcourt federal highway and Aba-Ikot Ekpene federal road vowing to make the reconstruction of those roads as his first priorities as a federal legislator.
The governor also appealed to the people to focus on what he has done so far in casting their votes for him and all candidates of the PDP in the state including Prof Uche Ikonne, noting that his evidence of democracy dividends to the people is incontrovertible.
On the request made on Ugwu Court road, the PDP Abia Central Senatorial hopeful revealed that he has awarded the contract for the repair of the road and will mobilize the contractor, ID & S to site before the end of the month. He also assured that work will soon begin along Ulasi road, Aba to ensure that those living around the areas enjoy better access to the recently reconstructed Ngwa Road.
In his words: “I want to say that the fact that Abiriba community has several people in my government is partially because I have a special love for that community but beyond that, in my office as the Governor for seven years, I have had the opportunity to test people of different communities within and outside the state, I have commissioners from Imo and Anambra and in all the people i have had dealings with I can beat my chest and say that I have no regret having dealings with Abiriba people.
“My definition of an Abiriba man is that he is a man of courage, trust, and strength and can stand by you through thick and thin. But beyond that, your children are hardworking , resilient and determined and can be trusted. If I have the opportunity to make all my commissioners come from Abiriba I would have done it. If it was in my powers, my first eleven will come from Abiriba”.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, his Youth Counterpart, Barr. Charles Esonu, Hon. Mandela Obasi, member representing Ohafia North State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, his Aba Central counterpart, Hon. Abraham Oba were part of the program whose highlight was the endorsement of the Governor for Abua Central Senatorial election by the community as pronounced by the ACIU President.
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