Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Arochukwu Kingdom is re-enacting its status as a repository of immense human resources, from which it readily contributes to diverse spheres of national development.
In the present dispensation, Arochukwu is ready to avail Nigeria some of its well groomed leaders at both the State and national levels.
Already, some notable personalities are gearing up to slug it out for different positions in the country’s leadership hierarchy.
PRESIDENCY
Mazi (Dr) Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR
Mazi (Dr) Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR
Leading the pack is Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR, a leader of leaders; board room guru; former chairman of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG); former President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); and lately, convener of the New Nigeria Group (NGN), a burgeoning political gathering of progressive minds whose avowal is to make Nigeria work for all its peoples.
Ohuabunwa is, first and foremost, vying for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest for President in the 2023 general elections.
Political analysts believe he has a good chance of clinching PDP’s ticket for the epic contest; and he has left no one in doubt about his seriousness.
Not a few also believe that Ohuabunwa has a great deal to offer, not the least what the country and its citizens stand to benefit if he is voted President.
Even with a seemingly lean war chest, Ohuabunwa recently matched his aspiration with action, when he stepped forward to obtain the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, shelling out a whopping N40million in the process.
Ohuabunwa has travelled across the country consulting with PDP big wigs and the grassroots leaders over his aspiration.
At every stop – North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-South, South-West, and indeed his South East home base – Ohuabunwa has received tremendous followership. In fact, his name has become a brand associated with Nigeria’s redemption.
In early April, Ohuabunwa returned to the grassroots – Ward 3, Arochukwu, Abia State – where he held frank discussions with the party stakeholders.
At that meeting, Ohuabunwa assured them that his presidency will make Nigeria work again, and take its rightful place in the comity of nations.
He equally promised to restore the hope of the hopeless, and lift Nigerian youths out of the dungeon of joblessness.
Having received their whole-hearted endorsement, Ohuabunwa said:
“This is the starting point. The party recognises the ward as the starting point of every political membership. If you are not a member of a ward, you can’t contest anything in Nigeria. You enter the party through the ward and you leave through the ward. My presidency will be for all Nigerians. My presidency will restore hope for the hopeless. My presidency will make Nigeria work again. My presidency will end corruption in Nigeria. My presidency will lift the youths out of the dungeon of joblessness,” he said.
The party chairman, Mr. Samuel Okereke, expressed optimism that Ohuabunwa’s presidency will turn the fortunes of Nigerians for the better.
They acknowledged that fact that Ohuabunwa is entering the race with a superb wealth of experience garnered from both the public and public sectors.
Lady Angela Johnson
Lady Angela Johnson
Daring as it might seem, Lady Angela Johnson, the daughter of late Mazi Johnson Udenyi of Amuvi village, has also thrown her hat into the ring, to contest for President during the 2023 general elections.
Strong-willed Angela announced her aspiration recently at the Abia State Secretariat of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Umuahia.
Lady Angela, in presenting herself for the plum job, lamented that men have failed the country hence she stepped forward – as one who has managed successful businesses and as a family counseling expert – to rescue Nigeria.
As a starting point, Lady Angela said she has the template to address and revive Nigeria Airways, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to mention but a few of the country’s investments that are either poorly managed or are already comatose.
Thus, she sought the party’s platform to fly its flag at the presidential election, appealing to all Nigerians to give a woman like her the opportunity to unfold their leadership capacity.
While appreciating Lady Angela for her boldness, the Abia State chairman of APGA, Rev Augustine Ehimere, lamented that APC and PDP have failed Nigerians, arguing that the only opportunity and hope to restore Nigeria is APGA.
Ehimere maintained that APGA is the only party that will stand tall to rescue Nigeria.
He encouraged Lady Angela not to be discouraged if she encounters storm in the course of her pursuit.
GOVERNORSHIP:
Before press time in mid-April, Aro News learned that no fewer than three Umu Aro had indicated interest to contest the governorship of Abia State.
They are: Sir Chikwe Udensi (APGA), Dr Alex Otti (APC) and Ambassador Chijioke Okoro (APC).
Sir Chikwe Udensi
Sir Chikwe Udensi
Without leaving anything to chance, Udensi has since raved up his existing political structure spread cross the 17 local government areas of Abia State, while working to clinch the governorship ticket of his party – All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Not a few Abians – especially pensioners and the elderly – have identified him as a philanthropist, having continually extended his gesture to them in the form of cash gifts and household consumables.
Aro News learned that Udensi is a household name in most parts of Abia State due mainly to his humanitarian bent.
His Foundation – Build A Better Abia (BANA), Sir Chikwe Udensi Foundation, has a huge membership base, and they are not relented in notching up his governorship ambition.
Dr Alex Otti, OFR
Dr. Alex Otti
An economist and ex-bank chief executive, Otti had at two previous times contested the governorship of Abia State on the platform of APGA, but fraudulently schemed out.
He later crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where, it is being speculated, that he would have another shot at the office in the 2023 election.
Otti’s popularity is not in doubt, also because of his flair for philanthropy and community development.
Even as a private citizen, Otti has leveraged his contacts to attracted remarkable infrastructure and social amenities to a good number of communities in Abia State.
In the APC, Otti seems to be chummy with the party’s leadership, which is a plus for his speculated aspiration.
Ambassador Chijioke Okoro
Amb Chijioke Okoro
Apparently, Ambassador Chijioke Okoro is the least known among the above named Aro personalities seeking top elective offices.
However, he is not a push-over by any standard, given his penetration in the consciousness of Abia people, especially the youth bracket.
For instance, a political group seeking positive leadership change in Abia, under the aegis of Abia Youths Awake Group (AYAG), has flooded parts of the State with campaign posters of Ambassador Chijioke Okoro, calling on him to join the 2023 governorship race.
Spokesman of the group, Mr. Mike Igwe, said their desire to get Okoro into the race is to change the bad leadership narrative that had beset Abia State.
“Abia State has been badly governed over the years, compared to other states of the federation. We are determined this time around to install a good leader that would wipe the tears of the people of Abia State, because over the years they have suffered from under-development, poverty, lack of good leadership, lack of vision, youth unemployment, educational setback, poor infrastructure among others.”
Igwe, who is also an activist, lamented that Abians can no longer afford to allow selfish politicians hijack the State, having proved that they are only desirous of enriching themselves to the detriment of the masses.
He said Ambassador Chijioke Okoro, with age on his side, is the type of leader Abia State desires in the present dispensation, going forward.
Meanwhile, the group said it has started mobilizing massive support for the candidacy of Ambassador Chijioke Okoro, regardless that he is still consulting on the feasibility of the project.
In the same manner, another group – Abia Development Initiative (ADI) – has indicated willingness to purchase the APC governorship forms for their choice – Ambassador Chijioke Okoro.
ADI’s publicity secretary Mr. Obinna Smith, disclosed recently in Aba that the group is galvanizing support for their choice, and only waiting for him to make a public declaration of his ambition.
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