Abia guber election: Obidient support groups endorse PDP candidate Okey Ahaiwe

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Abia State, key leaders of Peter Obi’s Obidient support groups have endorsed Okey Ahaiwe, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The leaders explained that they endorsed Ahaiwe because he has credibility and an unblemished career record.

In a communique issued by the Abia State Obidient Support Groups after an emergency meeting in Aba on Wednesday, the leaders said Ahaiwe has the capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

The communique was signed by Chetachi Ikpe, Abia State Peter Obi Grassroots Movement, POGM, Chief Ndubueze Obiakwata, Chairman, Obidients Across Parties Alliance, OAPA, Hon Edwin Ahamefule of Ukwa-Ngwa Youths for Peter Obi, UNY4PO and Pastor Solomon, coordinator, Peter Obi Support Network, POSN, Abia State.

Others are Lady Joy Ukachi of the Women for Peter Obi Alliance, W4POA, Abia State chapter, Dr Maxwell Iro, coordinator of Abia Obidients Vanguard, AOV, Comrade Ibegbu Ogbonna, coordinator of Peter Obi National Movement, PONAM, William Ndu of Abia Obidient Youths Alliance, AOYA, Johnson Ohanele of Abia Obidients Students Forum, AOSF and Chief John Udemba of Abia Obidient Traders Coalition, AOTC.

The leaders vowed to collectively use their structures across the 17 local governments area in the state to ensure Ahaiwe wins Saturday’s election.

According to the communique: “After due deliberations and considerations regarding the Abia State governorship election this Saturday, the leaders of key Obidient support groups in the state resolved as follows:

“We unanimously endorse the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Hon Chief Okey Ahaiwe, KSJI, as our sole candidate for the March 11th governorship election in Abia State.

“We shall collectively employ our structures across the 17 LGAs in achieving this. This is based on 2 Cs―credibility and continuity.

“Okey Ahiwe was at the centre of all Governor Ikpeazu’s modest achievements in office despite the menace of godfathers, who preferred to ensure that he failed, as governor, just like them. The achievements include: sustaining peace and security in Abia State; coming on stream of Geometric Power Station which now provides steady power to Aba, after over a decade of setbacks due to lack of political willpower by past Abia State governments; made-in-Aba shoe/leatherworks industry where Governor Ikpeazu popularised the “Made in Aba” brand, by sending Aba shoemakers for overseas industrial training; mechanization of the Aba shoe industry by importing new machinery that enhanced production; bringing of Chinese expatriates to Aba, for on-the-spot training of Aba shoemakers on the use of the imported machines; Enyimba Economic City, a revolutionary project meant to make Aba, the true “Japan of Africa”; Osisioma Flyover, the first of its kind in the state.”

The group noted: “Ahiwe is also an Igbo patriot, having served for several years in the National Reconciliation Council of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. This endorsement is equally based on his unblemished track record of service and our commitment to the promotion of good governance.

“We insist on supporting credible candidates across party lines, that is why we have endorsed Ahiwe, a man with a verifiable and unblemished track record just like our principal, Mr Peter Obi.

“Finally, we urge Ndi Abia to vote Ahiwe based on the 2Cs―credibility and continuity.”