As preparations for the governorship election of 18 March 2023 heighten, the ambition of the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance( APGA), Prof Gregory Ibe to govern Abia state has continued to receive acceptance and subsequent endorsement by different groups across the state and beyond.
Declaring the adoption of the APGA standard bearer as their sole candidate for the rescheduled 18 March governorship election in Umuahia on Thursday, leaders of Abia state chapter of Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, expressed unwavering confidence in the pedigree of Prof Ibe and assured of his capability to transform the state.
Speaking on behalf of members of the group during an interactive session, chairman of the association, Ambassador Wisdom Okey, said, “During our last general meeting, the entire members of our association from the 17 Local Government Areas resolved to adopt Prof Gregory Ibe of APGA as our sole candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in Abia state, because of his pedigree, competence and capacity, which distinguish him from other contenders.We therefore enjoin Abians to vote for him en mass to enable him execute speedy transformation of our state”.
On their part, the people of Isuikwuato had equally announced total adoption of the candidacy of Prof Ibe on the basis of equity, justice and fairness. Speaking recently during a political sensitization programme, Barr Anthony Ojinji stated that the decision to endorse the guber aspiration of Prof Ibe is the collective resolution of the entire people of Isuikwuato.
According to Barr Ojinji,” After extensive consultations with the different organs of Isuikwuato Development Union (IDU), both at home and in the diaspora, I have been mandated to announce the adoption of our son Prof Gregory Ibe as the sole candidate of our people for the forthcoming governorship election on the basis of equity, justice and fairness. It is the collective affirmation of our people that 2023 is the turn of Isuikwuato to produce a governor for Abia state and our son has the requisite qualification for that office”.
In their separate speeches, Chief Innocent Madubuko, Chairman IDU home base, High Chief Kanu Ikea, Obi of Imenyi, Chief Peter Anozie, Umuobiala President-General and Sir Augustine Azubuike, reaffirmed their resolve to galvanize support for the aspiration of Prof Ibe.
Earlier in the week, a group of Abia indigenes living abroad had also announced their endorsement of Prof Ibe’s candidacy. In a statement signed by Professors Chukwubuikem Anosike (USA) and Udenwa Nnabuikem(UK), the group cited Prof Ibe’s rich manifesto, pedigree, innovativeness, competence and capacity as reasons for the adoption.
According to the group, “The endorsement of Prof Ibe is to help facilitate the enthronement of the right leadership that would help change the Abia story and reposition the state for greatness”.
Continuing, they expressed satisfaction over Ibe’s development plan for the state, adding that if given the opportunity, the APGA candidate would truly transform the state.
Political correspondents report that with the recent reaffirmation of Prof Ibe’s election as the validly elected candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) by the Supreme Court, all is now set for a keen contest that is expected to go down to the wire.