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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Etugo Ogah has expressed optimism over Peter Obi’s victory in the 2027 Presidential election.
This is even as Ogah has promised to transform the state into a leading industrial hub, revive moribund industries and create massive employment opportunities if elected governor in 2027.
Chief Ogah, the brother of a former governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Dr. Sampson Ogah, stated these during the inauguration of his campaign council in Umuahia.
The NDC candidate expressing confidence in the presidential ambition of Obi declared that he expected Obi to emerge as Nigeria’s next president.
Ogah said Obi possesses the managerial experience and resource-management approach needed to address the country’s economic challenges.
He maintained that Obi’s appeal should extend beyond the Southeast, insisting that Nigeria needed someone who would prudently manage its resources.
He revealed that his administration would pursue an industrialization agenda modelled on Guangzhou, China, with a focus on local production, exports and strategic partnerships with investors.
The NDC candidate, who described himself as a businessman with an industrialisation vision, said Abia must move beyond importing finished goods to producing and exporting goods manufactured within the state.
“I will industrialise Abia. That is my major focus. I want to turn Abia into a leading industrial state,” he said.
“We will partner with businessmen. I am a businessman, and I will make sure our citizens have jobs,” he added.
Ogah expressed dissatisfaction with Governor Alex Otti’s performance despite having supported him during the 2023 governorship election.
He challenged Governor Otti’s administration to account for public revenue and expenditure, insisting that Abians deserved greater transparency in the management of the state’s resources.
He called for explanations regarding the utilisation of funds he associated with the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road, Aba, and other projects.
Ogah particularly criticised the condition of roads in Ukwa and the Ohafia-Arochukwu axis, arguing that several communities still faced serious infrastructure challenges.
“I was in Ukwa recently. There are no roads. Ohafia to Arochukwu is in a dilapidated condition. A lot of roads in Abia are in bad shape.
“The funds coming into Abia, including our internally generated revenue, belong to Abians, not any individual,” he said.
Ogah dismissed allegations in some quarters that he was a placeholder candidate who could eventually step aside for another aspirant, describing the speculation as an attempt to discredit his candidacy.
“Actually, I am not a placeholder. I am the candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress,” he declared.
Asked about his brother, Samson Ogah, who has publicly expressed support for Otti, the NDC candidate maintained that his governorship ambition was independent of the political choices of other family members.
He stated that he was entitled to contest for governor as an indigene of Abia State, dismissing suggestions that his family’s political affiliations should determine his ambition.
Ogah charged members of the campaign council to work as a team and remain committed to the party’s ambition.
