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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State Governorship candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP), General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma (rtd), has promised to turn Abia into a modern state if elected Governor in 2027.
General Ijioma (rtd), who flagged off his campaign penultimate week at Umuhu-Ezechi, in Bende Local Government Area, made the promise in Aba during his maiden Campaign and the flag off campaign of Dr. Dick-Orieh Elendu (Ebekuo Dike), the Aba Central State House of Assembly Candidate.
Unveiling his 23-item manifesto, the retired general unfolded his package which he said will transform Abia State into a modern world with rule of law, justice and equity as the pillar of governance and humanity.
Addressing the mammoth crowd that defied the heavy downpour to welcome him, the APP Governorship candidate assured the people of Abia that he will begin his transformation of the state with Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.
To achieve this, he announced a phased programme to implement his plan, saying that N200bn would be set aside each for Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.
He promised that part of the money for Aba would be devoted to constructing a minimum of four fly over bridges, opening up Boating Services at Azumini to connect the open sea which he noted was just about 12 nautical miles (15-18km) from Azumini community.
“The rest of the money would go into infrastructure/ facility including underground drainage to address the perennial problem of flooding in Aba, including the redesign and remodelling of the Epic Ariaria market”.
The APP flag bearer, flanked by his Deputy Governorship candidate, Chief Eze Nwoloki, other APP candidates and State Party officials gave the assurance that he was fully prepared for leadership and very determined to govern Abia, adding, “neither rain nor sun can stop me from that set agenda”.
General Ijioma (rtd) criticized the Alex Otti administration for financial recklessness and accused him of deceit, lack of transparency and accountability.
He maintained that the present administration has received huge sums of money running into over a trillion naira from the Federal Government and more than N70 billion from internally generated revenue, but has not much to show for it.
He dubbed the present administration in the state as “a government of error and from error to error”, questioning the cost and implementation of some project/budgetary provisions.
He condemned Otti for removing Umuahia from being the constitutional capital and relocating it politically to his home town Nvosi, in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The APP Governorship hopeful restated that his choice of a deputy governorship candidate from the oil producing area of Ukwa West was deliberate, to give the area which he said has been neglected over the years, a sense of belonging.
On agriculture, the APP Governorship candidate said his administration will establish 17 large farms in all the Local Government Areas and three state farms in the three Senatorial zones and in addition establish commodity outlets where prices of goods will be slashed to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on the citizens.
Expressing optimism he will win the election, Ijioma said the ruling party in the state, Labour Party which he described as structureless is facing a serious national crisis, saying the larger faction is with Chiefs C. K. Igara and Julius Abure, adding that a vote for LP is a wasted vote. He noted that the Labour Party has two governorship candidates CK Igara of the Julius Abure faction and Alex Otti of the Nenadi Usman faction.
He reiterated his resolve to ensure the release of Nnamdi Kanu who he said was unjustly convicted, from prison if elected.
