Abia APC declares readiness for 2023 poll, as Ucha enters Ebonyi governorship race

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia; CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]]

Two-term senator, who represented Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone, Julius Ali Ucha, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2023 governorship position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

This is also as in Abia, the APC state party chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, declared that it is ready for the 2023 general elections following the successful conduct of the National Convention of the party.

Ononogbu who made the declaration in a congratulatory message to the new National Chairman, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, noted that the outcome of the convention was heartwarming and should convince Nigerians that APC was capable of resolving wrangling in the party peacefully.

Recalling events that took place in the build up to the national convention, Ononogbu said that the idea of consensus arrangement through which majority of the APC National Working Committee members emerged was a proof that the party remained one big family in which differences are resolved amicably.

“Our party has been through a lot of challenges, and we have always come out of it. That has kept us growing. Today, the APC is ready for the next elections with this novel leadership.

“Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu will ensure that APC remains at the top of its game, I have no doubts at all,” the Abia APC helmsman said.

He promised that Abia APC would imbibe the advice given by President Muhammadu Buhari to the effect that party primaries should not go to the highest bidders.

“For us in Abia, it is now time for us to take the words of Mr President to heart, when he enjoined us all to promote internal democracy and equal opportunities and ensure that party primaries are not influenced by “highest bidders” going into the 2023 elections.

“That way, we will be able to elect the most competent leaders for Abia State, and root out the cankerworms that have eaten deep into our state since the return to democracy.

He noted that the topmost goal of the party was to capture power both at the state and national levels.

While congratulating Adamu, Ononogbu observed that he emerged because of his leadership qualities and wide acceptance, adding that his emergence would herald good tidings for Nigerians.

Ononogbu described Adamu as an experienced progressive whose services as a governor, Senator, and political leader were great promises that better days are here again for all Nigerians.

Canvassing support for Adamu and the national leadership of the party, Ononogbu who  expressed satisfaction at the maturity exhibited by all the parties involved during the convention; urged all members, especially in Abia State, to work with the new leadership in order to move the state forward.

He also congratulated the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, as leader of the party in the South East and his role at the convention.

Meanwhile, former Senate Committee Chairman on Works, who represented Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone for two tenures (2003 to 2011), Senator Julius Ali Ucha has declared his intention to contest for the 2023 governorship position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ucha is not a new comer in Ebonyi Governorship contest, having contested in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

He made the declaration on Wednesday when he visited the State APC Secretariat to consult the State Working Committee of the Party.

Ucha said: “I am here to inform the party leadership of my intention to run for the governorship of Ebonyi state, come 2023. It is over a month now that the political space was thrown open by our leader and we are also aware that the zoning arrangement is that the governorship position will either go to Ebonyi Central or North.

“We are also aware that the zoning committee has been graciously put in place form the micro zoning of where the governorship will go to. I am a man that complies with the rules.”

Ucha, a pioneer Speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly, pledged to sustain the infrastructural development put in place by Governor David Umahi’s administration.

“One thing I have told myself is that I am not a desperate person. I have never been desperate. Nothing bothers me. My Hypertension is 110/70. We have to work hard and not take anything for granted.

“I have told myself that I have a duty if by the Special Grace of God and elected the Governor of Ebonyi State; to maintain the standard of infrastructural development already put in place by the present administration; to sustain the gain and legacies which Governor Umahi has already put in place and to secure the future of the people of Ebonyi state.

“While maintaining the standard and sustaining the gains; in securing the future, the governor has laid the foundation for human resource development and empowerment. I will consolidate the human resource development and empowerment through education, agriculture, through sustenance of the state of the art health facility and through industrialization”, Ucha promised.

The Governorship aspirant further urged the APC leadership in the state to open the space at the local areas so that aspirants could start to reach out to people and make the party vibrant in all corners of the State.