Abia PDP now more united – Ahiwe
By Ben Ngwakwe
Governorship Candidate of
Peoples Democratic Party in
Abia State, Chief Okey Ahiwe, said that those critics and political hangovers were dumbfounded because some of them predicted that the death of prof. Uche Ikonne, would have consumed the party.
He disclosed that fortunately the death brought more unity, faith and stronger cohesion as they are leaving this stadium, more united, more determined and more resolute to retain their pre-eminent position as the dominant party in Abia State.
Speaking at Umuahia Stadium on 4th February, 2023 after the primaries, the winner who garnered the highest votes, Chief Okey Ahiwe, explained that the event that necessitated the primaries was the death of the former Governorship candidate of the party Professor Uche Ikonne.
While paying special tribute to iconic administrator, said, he will therefore like to pay special tribute to the memory of the departed brother, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, adding “whose demise meant that we are holding another primary to elect another candidate today. I pay homage to the memory of Prof. Ikonne. I commiserate with his family and loved ones and pray God to grant his soul sweet repose.”
The Governorship candidate expressed his appreciation to the Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State for their unprecedented unity and one-ness which ensured a hitch free process, particularly the Leader of the party in the State Governor,Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu whose dexterous leadership has kept the ship of the party stable in Abia State.
Also extended his administration is the indefatigable State Chairman of the Party, Rt. Hon. Allwell Asiforo Okere and through him and the State Executive Council of the Party for their guidance and support.
“I thank all our Stakeholders, elected office-holders and Caucus Members. I thank the Delegates who have today reposed their confidence in me”.
“Let me also specially thank the Electoral Committee led by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, as well as the team of observers from INEC, the media and Civil Society Organisations”.
He assured the Peoples Democratic Party family in Abia State that, “we are winning this election. Abia is a PDP State and Abia will remain a PDP State. We are not novices to the system neither are we greenhorns. I have been a part of the inner caucus of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for the last 7 years so I understand the dynamics of Governance from the grassroots to the highest levels”.
“I was an integral part of Late Prof. Uche Ikonne’s Campaign at the Strategic level and I fully understand the demands and dictates of running a comprehensive campaign. I will not drop the ball. I know that we have grounds to cover and I am ready to hit the ground running”, he said
The Governorship candidate overtly made it known that his focus of the Campaign shall be to consolidate on the laudable work done by their leader Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu who is the current Governor while expanding the scope of service to the people in line with his philosophy of Government.
Among some of the key areas his administration will concentrate if elected into power included the following sectors, security , agriculture, transport, education and Youth empowerment and others.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that security remains the bedrock of any development plan. We thank our Leader Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for entrenching a culture of peaceful co-existence in Abia State and as a priority, we will continue on the trajectory that he has laid and ensure that Abia State continues to remain the most peaceful State in the South East and one of the most peaceful in the country.”
On education and Youth empowerment, he said that they shall pursue and sustain the highest standards of Education and human capital development, adding that,”We shall not allow any gaps whatsoever in the functional development of our youths in whose future we must make necessary investments to build new generations of leadership champions”.
While Urban renewal shall be established Development Commissions for the Urban Cities of Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and others and pursue their holistic development including provision of critical infrastructure working with professionals and relevant development partners,Ahiwe promised that his administration shall build on the legacy of massive roads construction already established by Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.
Also, transportation sector, he explained that they shall rejig the Mass Transportation Model to bring it at par with what is obtainable in other developed cities. We shall explore Public Private Partnerships for a viable, modern and sustainable transport system for the cities.
On agriculture which is the mainstay of economy shall be given the highest premium,”will be placed on mechanization of our agricultural processes to make it attractive to our youths and reduce the tediousness of traditional farming models. Special attention will be paid to our Agricultural Development Initiatives to ensure that they are capable of attracting available support and input from the Federal Government and other Development Partners.”
Another Legacy of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu which he commended is peace which he stoutly believe that they will build on it, stressing that, the legacy of peace we are currently witnessing in Abia State. Those that know me know that I am a man of peace. I do not have the stomach for enmity and this has ensured my cordial relationship with people across class and strata. I intend to consolidate on this gift and deploy it to continue to promote an atmosphere of peace in Abia State”.
As part of new public administration model in good governance is participatory Governance which he vowed to implement if elected by March.
According to him,”We shall continue with the plan of our party to introduce and consolidate Participatory Governance in Abia State. What this means is that our shall be a Government of consultations and a listening ear. Our policies shall be drawn out of the wishes of the people and every strata of society shall be carried along in the Governance of Abia State”.
Also rural development shall be adequate addressed as his administration shall prioritize working with our Community Development Associations to capture pressing needs of the communities and ensure that they are reflected in the budget of the state annually and to build critical infrastructure in the Urban Areas as well as to ensure they shall endeavour to ensure that the rural areas are not neglected to stem rural-urban migration and guarantee quality of life for our rural dwellers.
He candidly expressed his profound gratitude to all the Leaders, Stakeholders and Members of the great party, adding that these are some of the areas that they will be concentrating on it when they are sworn – in the next three months.
“I can tell you confidently that we are winning this election. We have what it takes and we will do it.
By next week, we shall commence tours of critical parts of the State. We shall endeavour to cover as much ground as possible. We are not campaigning afresh. We are only cementing our existing contract with the people. We shall remind them once again, why PDP remains their best bet for progress and prosperity”, he disclosed.
