Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, younger brother to the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Sen Orji Uzor Kalu, has emerged as the Abia Governorship Candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP), with a promise to run free education to secondary school level.
Mascot Uzor Kalu (MUK), who emerged as the consensus guber candidate for APP, during the Party’s primary election held at the state Secretariat in Umuahia, Abia State, said his government will not only concentrate on infrastructural development, but would also give great attention to stomach infrastructure.
In his acceptance speech, Orji said his emergence further signifies a new beginning in Abia, as the journey to repositioning Abia State has started in earnest, with education taking the center stage, in the quest to change the narrative of the state.
He promised to run free education from primary to secondary school levels while at the tertiary level, school fees would be subsidized to a reasonable extent.
According to him, his administration will put an end to the irregular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, maintaining that the welfare of Abia workers, must be given top priority.
“As contained in our manifesto, security is very paramount and pivotal to our visions, for we understand that development cannot thrive in the absence of peace.
“Our approach to tackling all security-related issues in the state is going to be economic-based”, he said.
The APP guber candidate also disclosed that he is aware oftentimes frustration leads to aggression, so he would be creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and as well, absorb them into meaningful productive activities.
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He equally stated that the various state Commands of the Security Agencies would be provided with logistical support, necessary for easing their operations across the state.
“Our mission is to give the state a facelift through infrastructural development. We, for instance, will embark on the project of constructing at least 5km length of roads across the seventeen (17) Local Government Areas of the state. Beyond this, we are also going to ensure that there are good and accessible roads that link our various communities for easy movement of goods/services, especially the agricultural produce of our farmers.
“The visions we have for Abia will not be realized, if we do not collectively join hands together for the common good. I promise to be magnanimous in victory, so I implore all aspirants who did not win to, in all sincerity, be supportive of every candidate that emerged”.
He charged all party members and Abians at large, to be committed to changing the narrative of Abia, making it a better place for all.
Meanwhile, the guber candidate, expressed gratitude for emerging as the Party’s flagbearer for the 2023 gubernatorial race, describing it an honour.
He further congratulated the State Party Chairman, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji and the executive members of the party, the delegates that have voted, and other party faithfuls for their commitment and sacrifice for the party.
Earlier, the National Organizing Secretary of the Party, Obed Agwu, expressed optimism that the party would record victory come 2023, stressing that the “Elephant Symbol” of the party further signifies that the party would defeat others to emerge victorious.
Also, in his remarks, the State Chairman of the party, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji, had earlier charged the delegates to comport themselves in a peaceful manner, urging them not to relent in their support.
Giving their manifesto, the candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Hon Signor Kanu, revealed that Abia South is the economic heart beat of the state, therefore the need to come together to rebuild it.
The Abia Central Senatorial Candidate, Hon Nduka Timothy Chijioke, assured the constituents of the dividend of democracy, saying he has the strength and vigor to attract to compete and win the senatorial seat.
For the Abia North candidate, Ifeanyichukwu Kingsley Adijeh, clamoured for the youth to be given a chance to lead, stating that with the passage of the “Not Too Young To Run” Bill into Law, the aged people should be retired.
Another fine Candidate for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Dr Lilian Chinasa Obenwa, with her campaign slogan “Fresh Wine”, said the people of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi should be ready for fresh air, saying she would bring quality representation that would help position the constituency at the front burner.
Among other Aspirants who emerged as a consensus candidates, were the party chairman, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji, who clinched the party’s ticket for Ukwa West/East Federal Constituency, Chibuike Samuel Nwachukwu, candidate for Umuahia South State Constituency and others.
