Get Guardian on Google…..Alleges Abia received N1.8 trillion, without its commensurate utilization impact.
Abia state Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2027 election, Chief Eric Opah has vowed to reverse some of governor Alex Otti’s actions, decisions and policies if elected into office, and replace them with what he called transparent and people-oriented governance driven by empathy, accountability and policies deliberately geared to positively impact the development and well being of the people/residents.
He spoke during an interaction with Journalists in his state campaign office in Umuahia, the state capital at the weekend, asserting that he remains the guber candidate of his APC and has no alliance with other guber candidates in Abia state for the 2027 general elections.
He said “I Eric Opah, is in the 2027 governorship contest as a candidate of the APC, the party at the centre, to win the election. I am not in alliance with any other candidates as far as the APC governorship contest is concerned. If there is anybody other candidates should align with, it should be me, Eric Opah”.
At the Thursday inauguration of the Abia Chapter of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Council in Umuahia, the state PDP Chairman/Deputy governorship candidate, Elder Abraham Armah, publicly declared backing Tinubu’s re-election, but still has Dr Kingsley Anosike, whose name appeared among members of the Tinubu’s Campaign Council as its own ( PDP ) governorship candidate.
The State APC governorship candidate ( Opah ) however stated that there will be handshake with political parties that supported the victory of the APC, and that those that will be entrusted to manage the state resources must be certified qualified, and not mediocres.
Announcing that his ambition, which he said was to win the 2027 election, is to give Abia state a credible governance alternative, including local government autonomy against what prevailed under the state administrations and that of the Labour Party.
“ All that will be entrusted to manage our state resources under the incoming APC administration, must be certified qualified, and not mediocres”.
Opah who accused the Governor Otti administration of imposing draconic Tax regime on the citizens, said it has negatively impacts business , and willingness to pay same, indicating his plan to review it.
Arguing that though government cannot be effectively run without taxes, Ogah posited that that would not inform imposing a draconian tax regime, indicating “my administration will review the tax system to ensure that Abians and business owners are not overtaxed.
“ The APC administration in Abia state from 29 May, 2027, will ensure that constitutionally elected local government administrations in the state are run in accordance with the extant laws” and decried that despite that each of the 17 Councils received not less than N300 million monthly allocations, there are no visible projects executed to reflect such monthly income utilization.
Beside the Tax regime and Council Funds, the optimistic APC candidate also included that he will stop the alleged government interference in the election of Union Executives in the state Markets.
While Opah announced that Abia state had received up to N1.8 trillion naira so far, but that what are ground, did not reflect same in managing it, accused the state administration of flagging Off projects with fanfare, even ahead of commencement of works and execution.
Opah also cited another of his grouse, as alleged unjust dismissal of workers, and premature retirement of directors in the state civil service affected by the eight-year tenure policy without due benefits, vowing to recall, address and remedy the scenario on assumption of office.
According to the APC guber flag – bearer, civil servants who dedicated years of service to the state deserved a dignified retirement with commensurate benefits.
On health care, he said that his administration would build sophisticated medical institutions in the state that would discourage the citizens from seeking treatment outside the state.
According to him, it is de-cryable if it is true that the state has mapped out N130 billion or spent same for the building of 54 Smart Schools across the state.
Asked his high optimism over winning the governorship election, as if there are no challenges, he reacted “ the APC and I are confident of winning the 2027 election not only at federal level, but in Abia.
“ With my clear agenda, I have all it takes or would take to take Abia state to the desired next level of growth, development and prosperity.
“ The Watchword is that I promise only what I will do. APC has all it takes to summount all challenges to victory
