Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Otusi Ebitu Ukiwe, son of Nigeria’s former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.), has promised to return Abia to God for good governance and accountability.
He made the promise in Umuahia while declaring for governorship of the state under the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
He promised to give priority attention to the creation of the enabling environment for massive engagement of the teeming youth population in the state.
While declaring his ambition to run for the governorship, Ukiwe decried the state of affairs in Abia, blaming it on mis-governance by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which has been in power for close to 20 years.
“Workers are owed for many months, our roads are dilapidated, Abia is too backwards.”
Unveiling his five-point agenda, the Abiriba-born industrialist, promised to resuscitate all moribund state-owned industries in the state if voted into power.
He identified his agenda as: economic infrastructure, security, inclusive government, and rule of law.
He also promised to promote accountability and reduce poverty among the people.
The governorship hopeful who said he was not in the race for personal aggrandizement, vowed never to joke with workers’ welfare.
He said that he treasured the great values his father inculcated in him and would run a transparent government after the footprints of his father.
“I have come to rescue Abia State from bad governance and return it to the people through God. Abia under my watch will meet the great aspirations of our founding fathers,” he said.
Earlier in a remark, ADC Chairman in the state, Don Norma Obinna, said that the party was a child of necessity born to rescue the state from mis-governance.
He blamed the ruling PDP and the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, for the woes of the state, vowing that both parties will be dislodged in 2023.
According to him, the crisis rocking both parties “are indications that God has put confusion in their midst.”