Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a support group for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commenced an aggressive grassroots membership drive across the 17 local government areas of the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The mobilisation campaign, which targets communities, wards and polling units, is aimed at expanding the group’s support base and galvanising wider backing for the programmes of the Tinubu administration in Abia State.
Inaugurating the ward and council executives of the group in Arochukwu, Ohafia and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas, former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, urged the Ambassadors to embark on an aggressive membership drive in their localities.
He declared that the South-East would no longer play regional politics but would align fully with the centre to attract greater benefits.
Ikoh, who is the Abia State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, said the South-East would play a leading role in President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, noting that the President had performed well for the region and the country and deserved massive support.
“I am proud to say that our dear President has done so much for Abia, the South-East and Nigeria in general. We assure him that Abia will deliver 100 per cent votes in 2027 because he has performed well and the APC is now firmly on the ground in the state,” Ikoh said.
He added that contrary to misconceptions in some quarters, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia had no factions but was now united.
“APC is one united big family right now in Abia State. There is no division again in the party,” he said.
Ikoh also credited President Tinubu with improving the financial capacity of states, which he said had translated into greater development.
“Today, no state government borrows to pay salaries unlike before. Some states now pay over N100,000 as minimum wage. The reason is that Mr President has made more funds available to states and local governments,” he said.
According to him, the South-East owes the President full support for giving the region a stronger sense of belonging.
“We will no longer play regional politics. We must join mainstream politics to benefit more. We are everywhere in Nigeria but we need political power. The way to achieve that is to support this President so that when it becomes our turn, others will support us.”
Ikoh further expressed confidence that the APC would take over the Abia Government House in 2027.
“APC will not only deliver Mr President but will also take over Abia Government House in 2027. We will produce the senators and majority of Assembly members because we are now in the majority,” he said.
He charged members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors across the LGAs to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the polls.
“Go all out and ensure that everyone in your community joins the efforts to return President Tinubu in 2027.”
Ikoh also commended the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, who serves as National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, for his support for the group, assuring that Abia would not disappoint him.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the group in Isuikwuato and former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Okorafor, described opposition parties as weakened by internal crises and incapable of challenging the APC in 2027.
“They are shivering but won’t admit it because men don’t cry in the open. They will search for a party but will find none,” he said.
Okorafor urged the South-East not to be sentimental in voting, arguing that the region stood to gain more by supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
“Let nobody deceive you. It’s not about sentiments. Our turn is 2039 and we are working towards it,” he said.
Similarly, the 2023 APC House of Representatives candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Chief Dan Okeke, vowed to deliver Arochukwu Local Government Area to Tinubu.
He said the appointment of Ikoh as State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors had boosted the group’s popularity in Abia.
Party chieftains at the event included the first APC State Chairman in Abia, Dr Emmanuel Ndukwe; former lawmaker representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon. Ikedi Ezekwesiri; Hon. Uche Nwankpa; former Mayors of Isuikwuato LGA, Hon. Chima Agbaeze; and Enyinnaya Okorafor.
APC Zonal Secretary for Abia North, Hon. Cletus Nwankwo; Ngozi Ogbuagu; Hon. Ndukwe Okereke; High Chief Stephen Kanu, among others, also attended the event.
