Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A political group under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, known as the Ozurumba Movement, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, and backed former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, for the 2027 Abia governorship race.
The group also urged President Tinubu to consider mounting appeals from individuals and organisations and grant presidential pardon to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to help restore lasting peace to the South-East.
Leaders of the group, including former lawmakers and key stakeholders drawn from various local government areas of the state, met in Umuahia on Monday and said President Tinubu had demonstrated the capacity to steer Nigeria out of its current challenges and “should be allowed to complete what he started.”
Speaking after the meeting, the Coordinator of the Movement, Dr. Uzuegbu Uchechi, praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, claiming he had stabilised the naira and reduced Nigeria’s debt burden.
The group also commended the President’s education initiatives, saying he had provided accessible student loans to thousands of young Nigerians. They further applauded the achievement of financial autonomy for local governments and reforms aimed at strengthening grassroots governance.
According to the Movement, Tinubu’s infrastructural push—particularly the launch of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway and the expansion of road networks nationwide—had demonstrated commitment to national development.
On its endorsement of Ikoh for the 2027 governorship race, the group said the former minister had shown “capacity and competence” in previous public offices. They expressed confidence that he would deliver even more if elected governor.
The Movement added that Ikoh’s track record as an industrialist with major investments in Abia positioned him well to drive the state’s industrialisation agenda.
The Legal Adviser of the group, Mr. Paul Ubabisi, said Ikoh’s recent appointment as the Abia State Renewed Hope Ambassador reflected broad confidence in his leadership and his contributions to the state.
A former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Nwankpa, also argued that Abia would experience rapid economic transformation and industrial growth under Ikoh’s leadership.
He maintained that President Tinubu had “unmatchable records” to take Nigeria to greater heights.
Responding to concerns about persistent insecurity and economic hardship despite APC’s promises, Dr. Uchechi said the administration inherited the challenges and had been making sustained efforts to address them.
On Kanu’s continued detention, he expressed optimism that President Tinubu would consider the growing calls for his release in the interest of peace and national unity.
