By MATTHEW KALU, Umuahia

A former chairman of Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka, on Tuesday became the first governorship aspirant to inform the party of his ambition, with an appeal that the party should not truncate the Abia Charter of Equity in selecting the party’s candidate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

At Tuesday’s consultation with members of the Abia PDP State Executive Committee at the Finbarr’s Road State Secretariat of PDP, Nwaka, a lawyer by training and a former Senator, advised the party hierarchy against “short circuiting,” the Abia Charter of Equity, insisting that it was the turn of Isuikwuato District to produce the next governor of the state.

He told the party leaders that he was the safest hand to be entrusted with the governance of Abia at this point in time, adding that if fidelity to the party, credibility and integrity were the yardstick to be considered, he stands as the best man to equally pick the PDP governorship ticket.

The Isuikwuato-born politician who was the Chairman of Abia PDP from 2011 to 2016, promised to serve with honesty and fear of God to make Abia truly great if he is given the party’s governorship ticket and goes ahead to win the election in 2023.

Making a case for adherence to the Abia Charter of Equity, Nwaka noted that the other three constituent parts, Old Afikpo (then part of Abia), Old Bende and Old Aba Districts have produced governors in the present democratic dispensation, leaving only Isuikwuato as the remaining District to occupy the governorship position.

“There is no gain saying that Isuikwuato is the only district yet to taste power at the highest level in Abia State under our current democratic dispensation.

“Be that as it may, I can say with utmost confidence that the leader of the party in the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, working in concert with the State Exco of our party and other stakeholders, will take necessary steps to ensure that the dreams of our forefathers are not short circuited by denying the people of Isuikwuato District what is due to them at this moment in time,” Nwaka said.

The lawyer-turned politician who had served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said he was well qualified for the job he is seeking to do, going by his life’s journey which has endowed him with manifold experiences: from courtroom to boardroom through to the legislative and executive arms of government, including serving as PDP State chairman, saying these experiences “have put me in good stead to serve Abia State at the highest level.”

“I make bold to say to you that at this moment in time, I am the safest hand to be entrusted with the governance of our state because you all know that from my antecedents that I will run an inclusive government with sincerity of purpose and transparency; what is more, that I will make sure that no section of the state is neglected. These are no empty words. It is my solemn pledge to God Almighty and my firm promise to Ndi Abia,” the governorship aspirant said.

He said he would not have aspired to lead Abia if he could not “add value and make our party and the people of Abia State proud in the comity of states,” adding that the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration has provided solid stepping stones for him to take off.

The 30-year development plan, the urban development plans for Ohafia and Umauhia produced by the government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, he said, “have strengthened and buoyed my confidence that there is a strong basis for me to assert that I will do a new thing in Abia State.”

Nwaka said there were a plethora of men and women with requisite experience with whom he could work with if given the PDP tick and subsequently elected governor, to turn Abia round.

He said his presence at the state party secretariat was in continuation of his bottom-up consultations, having consulted with the State Governor, his Ward, Local Government and Zonal party leaders.

“It is in furtherance of my consultations that I am here today before the state Executive Committee of our party, ably led by the Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere. It is with all sense of humility and the courage of my conviction that I say to you Here Am I, Send Me. Send me as the candidate of PDP in the forthcoming 2023 governorship election in Abia State,” he appealed.

Responding, Abia PDP chairman, Dr. Asiforo Okere, commended Nwaka for having the courage to declare his intention for the Abia 2023 governorship race and assured him that his executive Committee would provide level playing field for all aspirants and would organize a free and fair primary election.

Okere added that “the party will stand firm and for what is right.”

He described Nwaka as a man of integrity who ran Abia PDP for six years without blemish and led the party to 100 per cent victories in elections conducted during his tenure.

Three Stakeholders, including Mr Obinna Ekekwe, Sir Onyejelem Amechi and Dr. Kate Obiechina, in their remarks, urged support for Nwaka, testifying that he performed well as party chairman by ensuring equity and fairness.

Nwaka was accompanied to the consultation by a retinue of his supporters, party faithful; drummers and dancers who added colour to the event.

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