Workers, pensioners declare support for Abia PDP guber candidate

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Active and retired public servants in Abia have declared unflinching support for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming governorship election, expressing high hopes that the new governor would clear the arrears of their pension and gratuity.

In a series of meeting with the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party, Hon Okey Igwe in Isuochi, Umunneochi council area of the state, the workers came out in large numbers to show support for the candidate who is currently the Member representing the Local Government Area in the House of Assembly.

 The pensioners assured Hon Igwe of their unflinching support for the PDP in the upcoming elections and also expressed strong confidence in the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Prof Uche Ikonne and his running mate, Barr Okey Igwe.

They highlighted their plight including nonpayment of their gratuities and other retirement benefits, expressing hopes that the incoming government that would be led by the duo would address the problem.

The PDP campaign team led by Barr Igwe also included the Senatorial candidate of the party for Abia North, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, new members of the party, titled chiefs, traditional rulers, workers’ union executives, leaders of faith and teachers’ union executives.

In his remarks, Hon. Okey Igwe assured them that the Ikonne administration would prioritize their welfare especially payment of their salaries, benefits and gratuities. According to him, the state cannot ignore the roles of civil servants or forget the contributions of retirees in pushing the wheels of government.

Barr Igwe who had been a local government council chairman and current a legislator made it clear that it is a moral obligation on the incoming Ikonne administration to guarantee the wellbeing of the people and drive social development in a manner that provides inclusive stake-holding for every resident in the state.

He expressed profound appreciation to the workers, the union executives and pensioners for their vision in supporting the PDP, assuring them that Abia State has embarked on irreversible journey to development and civilization. He said an Ikonne administration of the state would guarantee accelerated development and deliver quick wins for every stakeholder.

He advised the people to ensure collection of their voter’s cards and also come out en masse to convert their support for the party’s candidates to countable votes.

Hon. Okey also met and received new PDP members who switched from the YPP to support the PDP gubernatorial candidates.

The YPP executives in Umunneochi had met and assured him that they would totally collapse all structures of YPP in Umuneochi in support of Hon. Okey Igwe.

In the same vein, the traditional chiefs and community leaders in the area pledged to work and support the PDP governorship candidates by securing poll victory in all their hamlets as a show of appreciation to PDP for nominating their son deputy governor in the race.

In its own, the Umunneochi chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) also pledged support to PDP. They expressed hopes that the incoming government of Prof Ikonne would lend its full support to NULGE for local government autonomy.

By the same token, the leaders of Umunneochi chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and leaders of faith also pledged unalloyed support to the Ikonne/ Igwe ticket.

The teachers expressed the hope for better remuneration and timely payment once the Ikonne administration comes into office.

Finally, the faith leaders prayed for victory for all PDP candidates in the upcoming polls.