Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
A former Commissioner for Finance in Abia State Mr Obinna Oriaku, has declared his intentions to contest the 2023 governorship election in the state under the platform of All Progressive Congress.
Oriaku, a renowned banker, said he joined the guber race to foster an equitable distribution of the Commonwealth of the state to her indigenes through veritable vistas of development and stop further
deteriorated of the state economy.
Oriaku, who spoke at his Oweerinta country home in Isiala Ngwa south Local Government of the state on Tuesday, said Abia State has been a sleeping giant, whereas it is the hope of the South East and Nigeria for economic emancipation owning to her vast resources and human capital.
He however alleged that the state is a ghost of what it ought to be as result of poor leadership which has resulted to lack of infrastructures and delayed development, adding that the state was not beyond redemption.
Oriaku, revealed that about 80% of the entire receipts of Abia State goes to recurrent and over head expenditure while paltry 20% is left for capital expenditure, adding he had frowned at such while serving as finance commissioner, pointing out that the current system of governance cannot support growth and development.
He said, "The geographical area called Abia led the economic development of the South-East through the economic polices of our forebears, who were men and women of courage, principle and integrity which we represent today.
"Today Abia is a ghost of what it ought to be, ravaged by poor leadership and lack of infrastructures, which is the bane of our development. The good news and promise which l bear is that Abia State is not beyond redemption.
"We shall reclaim our state with honest and sincere leadership which Obinna represents. Abia Shall be great with your support and your decision to enthrone a sincere and passionate leadership come 2023.
"My over two decades of working in the banking sector has taught me the rudiments of the economy. But more practical experience came whilst I became embedded in successive tenures of two former Governors of Enugu state as their official banker and part of economic team.
"Ostensibly my four years stint as first, the economic adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and later Honorable Commissioner for finance 2015/2019 was the most outstanding.
"The latter experience became interestingly the melting point of my career. It afforded me the practical experience that have deeply honed my managerial economic public sector skills.
"My love and devotion for Abia and it's wellbeing in the first place motivated all the sacrifices I have made overtime and the passion to bring about the purposes of God for our state has kept me moving. It is for this reason that going back to the bank was not an option.
"This zeal and sense of sacrifice made me leave the PDP, instead of remaining in the party to align with the current system for another party with a more Progrssives disposition and a platform that will enable me to achieve my lifelong goal to be an agent for positive change. I have therefore come a long way and at the point where I am ready to go beyond rhetoric to match my words, eloquently with actions.
"This is that time to test the political waters by seeking to serve Ndi Abia. While APC is the platform, the people are the catalyst. I am confident of victory because Abia is in dire need of good leadership. Tested, trusted and found courageous, I have verse knowledge of Abia economy having studied its challenges as Commissioner for finance.
"Cogent and verifiable evidence is available to prove that I have the antidote to quell further deteriorated of Abia economy and welfare of its people if granted the opportunity.
"I promise to partner with good spirited Ndi Abia in order to usher in a lasting economic solution with an attendant enforcement that will push the policies to fruition".
0 Comments