Celestine Ihejirika, Umuahia
Accord Party at the weekend announced its decision to go into alliance with the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to unseat Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
Speaking during a joint press conference in Umuahia, the gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party, Mr. Emeka Uwakolam, disclosed that his party was not merging with APGA, but was enamoured with the party’s transformational policies aimed at rescuing Abia from the maladministration of PDP.
He said he resolved to synergise with Dr. Alex Otti, the gubernatorial candidate of APGA in the state with about twenty organisations and over 100,000 youths scattered across the 17 local government areas of the state under his control in order to enthrone good development and to consolidate good governance, which has eluded the state.
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He called on Abians to join in the rescue mission, as his decision was not money-induced, but predicted by his passion for a better Abia, while urging other candidates to rally round in support of Otti.
Receiving Uwakolam in his campaign office, Otti described the move, as a right step in the right direction to reclaim the mandate of Abia electorate, which was stolen by the PDP in 2015.
He described Uwakolam, as a true man of God, worthy of emulation, pointing out that Accord Party is one of the strongest parties in the state.
He said: “No matter how we pretend, Abia State is in trouble. Those who do not see the rot in Abia State are those partaking in the rot. Salaries are not being paid, pensioners are dropping dead. The only functioning industries in Abia State are billboard, propaganda and mortuary undertaking industries.
“Abia State is unfortunate in the area of governance. We have been ruled by people, who are certificated illiterates, who do not mean well for the state.
“Crime rate in Abia State has risen from 186 to 12,408. Eighty per cent of criminals in Abia state are not born criminals, but because of no jobs, they devised means to fend for themselves.”