Ahead next week’s House of Representatives by-election for the vacant seat of Aba North/South federal constituency the All Progressive’s Congress (APC) in Abia State have escalated it’s campaign for emergence of its candidate Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu, the party also resolved to centre it’s campaign on infrastructure and overall welfare of its people while stating that it won’t be distracted by what it described as “campaign of calumny” by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The decisions were made at the expanded caucus of the All Progressive’s Congress party in Abia State where it converged in Aba to formally pass their vote of confidence and endorse the candidature of its flag bearer for the 27th March by elections 2021.
The meeting consisted of political Stalwarts in the party , according to the caucus the meeting is to show the party’s unity and readiness to win the March 27th bye elections.
The meeting was hosted at the Aba residence of the Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Barr. Emeka Wogu.
Those present at the well attended meeting include: State Chairman of the Party Hon. Donatus Nwankpa;State Secretary of the Party, Perfect Okorie; Chairman of caucus Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Senator Nkechi Nwaogwu;Former speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Martins Azubuike; Minister of State for Mine and Steel
Dr. Hon Uchechukwu S. Ogah; Minority Leader Abia House of Assembly ,Hon. Chijioke Chukwu; Former Chief of Army Staff,Gen. Azubike Ihejirika;Barr.K.C.Ugboaja;Former Abia Speaker,Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka; Senator Chris Adighije;DIG. Azubuike Udah; Dr. Chidia Maduekwe;Senator Nkechi Nwaogu; Hon. Acho Obioma, Senator Bob Nwannunu; Hon Stanley Ohajuruka; Hon. Uche Ogboso; Hon. Chibuzor Okogbuo; Barr. Fabian Nwosu; Hon. Emeka Oroafor; Hon. Nnana Uzor Kalu; Immediate past commissioner of finance in Abia State Obinna Oriaku; Hon. Anyim Nyerere; Chief Marc Wabara; among others.
In his opening remarks,Chairman of the caucus Senator Orji Uzor Kalu disclosed that the party will not digress from its manifestos which centres on facilitating infrastructural development and Human capacity development to the people of Aba North /South Federal Constituency.
He noted that the APC won’t be distracted by the malicious propaganda of the People’s Democratic Party against the APC during the electioneering period, the Chief Whip noted the caucus has outlined its people oriented infrastructure and welfare programmes which according to him will be executed within the first year of its candidate Mascot Kalu in office.
His words: “The caucus met today to ratify our support for our candidate for Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu , this election is not about sponsoring propaganda, we expect Ikpeazu, Abaribe and the PDP to tell the people of Aba what they have done for them but unfortunately there is none.
“Despite the fact that our party the APC is not governing the state, we have done a lot to improve the lives of the people and we can do more if we are elected into office beginning with Aba North /South.
Highlighting the achievements of the APC in the state, Kalu said;
“The Ariaria Market 9.5 MW gas-based power plant for an uninterrupted power supply being enjoyed today by Abians provided possible by the APC government, the Loans, Grants and Intervention funds Abia people are receiving are issued by the APC government and not PDP and Ikpeazu.
“The Rural Women Grant our women received in Abia state are funds from APC government,the N30,000 Artisans and Transport operators support fund came from President Buhari and APC not from Ikpeazu and his PDP even the Enyimba Economic city is being spearheaded by APC government so Abia PDP has done absolutely nothing for the people, I urge you all to come out and vote them out by voting massively for the APC.
“Today, we have outlined our programmes and manifestos. As we go through this campaign we will tell the people our plans and the achievements of APC in Abia State and the entire Southeast. As a formidable party with a people oriented agenda we have gathered here today to stand as one United family as we move into this election.
Former Abia South Senatorial Candidate, sir Marc Wabara described the large turnout at the meeting as a significance of the party’s readiness to win the election.
He said “we have assembled to signify that the election of March 27th will be a defining moment for APC in Abia state and more importantly the people.
“We take this election very seriously more like a state election. We are coming individually and collectively to support our candidate and we are putting our trust in God that we shall come out victorious.
On his part Chairman of the Abia South caucus, Amb. Sam Nkire disclosed the party is committed to establishing its foothold in Aba South.
His words : “APC has come of age in Abia State, the party has a Senator and three members of the House of Representatives and the State Assembly and none of them come from Abia South so for us in Abia South APC having a foothold here in our zone is a task that must be accomplished. We believe that by the time APC wins this zone , then we can now move forward to taking over the state in 2023.
“Mascot is as good as an Ngwa Man. He was born here in Aba and all the projects and programmes he has will be executed here in Aba North/South. “He was not imposed, he contested for the ticket at a well organised primary election and he won so everyone one should queue behind him and give him maximum support.
Stating the gains of having voting APC,State Chairman of the Party Hon. Donatus Nwankpa explained that the Aba zone will benefit enormously by having a member of Nigeria’s ruling party as its representative.
His words:”Our party must deliver, it shows our collective and corporate desire to demonstrate that this election belongs to all of us and our candidate is acceptable by all. The difference of having a party at the centre taking over Aba North/South is enormous, because it will spur development, infrastructure the constituency and federal presence in Aba.
At the conclusion of the meeting the caucus headed for engagement with Old Bende progressive Union where they campaigned for their candidate Hon. Mascot Kalu. The party also warned against any form of rigging or violence during the elections.
