The people of Ancient Kingdom of Abiriba in Ohafia LGA of Abia State resident in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, have assured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the forthcoming general elections, Prof Uche Ikonne, of their total support for his ambition to lead the state.
Speaking during a consultative meeting held earlier today at the Aba residence of the Pro-Chancellor of Abia State University and Leader of PDP in Abiriba Kingdom, Chief Mba U. Okonkwo, the spokesman of the community, Okwodu Egworonu M. Obasi, extolled Prof Ikonne for his unique academic and leadership experience assuring that the people of the community are determined to support him to deliver more dividends of democracy to the community and Abia state.
According to him, “Your attributes and achievements as a scholar, administrator, technocrat and bureaucrat have stood your head and shoulders above your peers.
“Having keenly followed your trajectory first as an academic through your stint at the Abia State Polytechnic and, ultimately as the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, an objective examination of your odyssey through all these paths erases any doubt about your competence to lead the state to her next height. You are simply the best candidate in the race and Abiriba people associate only with the best”, he said.
The spokesman applauded the good relationship that has always existed between the Abiriba community in Aba and their hosts. “From time immemorial, Nde Ebiriba being adventurous travelers in their mercantilist pursuit, have always made it sacrosanct to cultivate brotherly relationships with their hosts wherever they find themselves. This attribute has endeared us with the Ngwa people who have in turn been very good and peaceable landlords to us in Aba and its environs.
“This harmonious relationship has enabled us relate with the indigenous people of Aba in a mutually beneficial manner on so many fronts culminating in our support and protection of the Dr. Ikpeazu led-PDP government these past seven years. We are committed to expanding this relationship further for the mutual benefit of both communities and the state in general”, he concluded.
Responding, Prof Ikonne who was accompanied by his running mate, Hon Okey Igwe, the Director General of Uche Ndi Abia Campaign Organization, Hon Chinedum Elechi, Honorable Uko Nkole and PDP BOT member, Chief Ibe Nwadioha, among others, assured the people of the community of his mutually beneficial partnership with them for rapid development of the State.
“I am not new to working with Abiriba people for the good of the state, and when elected as your Governor I assure you that we will further expand the frontiers of cooperation and partnership between us to deliver positive change to our people across the board. Whatever Governor Ikpeazu has done for Ndi Abiriba I will do much more. We will also ensure further improvements in ease of doing business by tackling issues that affect business growth in our state and end the era of harassment of importers by sundry persons. We will also work together to develop the Abiriba Kingdom as a major tourism hub in the state, complete and add to all ongoing road projects as well as reposition Akahaba General Hospital as a centre of medical excellence”, he assured.
Prof Ikonne who used the opportunity to debunk rumors of his sacking Abiriba people while serving as Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, described the allegation as the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to discredit him.
In their remarks, the members representing Aba Central and Ohafia North State Constituencies at the Abia State House of Assembly, Honorable Abraham Oba and Hon Mandela Obasi reassured members of the community that Prof Ikonne never sacked any worker of Abiriba origin as alleged and asked the people to ignore the rumors as it was baseless. They appealed for total support for all PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections to ensure that they key into the progressive platform offered by the party.
While praying for the success of Prof Ikonne in the forthcoming election, the Chairman of Abiriba Communal Improvement Union, Aba Branch, Chief Nduka Agwu, described him as an honest politician who will do what he promises.
The meeting which was organised as part of ongoing consultations with key groups and individuals by the candidate of the PDP was attended by dignitaries drawn from Abiriba groups and organizations. Also present were the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Dr. Okoroafor Ukiwe, former Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Tony Kalu, Former Chairman of Aba North LGA, Chief James Agbagha Ochunkwo and former Transition Council Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Princess Grace Agbara. Others are leaders of Inyimoka and Umon Chamber of Commerce, executives of ACIU, leaders of women organizations, and major stakeholders of the Abiriba Chapter of PDP as well as traders and other stakeholders of Abiriba origin residing in Aba.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/abiriba-community-in-aba-assures-ikonne-of-total-support/
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