One of the governorship aspirants in the 2023 governorship election in Abia State, Chief Kalu Idika Okwara, has called for voter education ahead of the 2023 general elections, warning the indigenes of the state never to mortgage their future with money.
The oil and gas expert made this known in a chat with journalists shortly after arriving Sam Mbakwe airport Owerri, Friday, saying that “the government would not function without its citizens and there would be no citizens without government.”
Responding to questions from journalists, he explained that his intention to run for the office of the governor was to ensure that the people of Abia state have a brighter future which the state was meant to be.
He called on stakeholders to mobilise and participate in the election process to strengthen the nation’s democracy.
The governorship aspirant promised that if elected as the next governor, he will look critically into human capital development, massive infrastructural development and investment in education health and agriculture.
He said, “There should be voter education across Abia state. Our people should understand that a politician coming to shower them with money in an election is bargaining for the elective position and after the transaction you end up seeing no improvement in governance.
“Voting is important to me no matter where you stand on the political spectrum. Voting is the one thing I can do in my life to make an impact on the world I live in. I want to live in a country whose voice is heard, and right now Nigeria’s true voice is not being heard. I don’t want to talk about facts, but there are plenty that suggest voter turnout in the states is not very good. Because Nigerian’s aren’t voicing their opinion, our true leader is not being chosen.
“My priority is to engage in human capital development. We will develop entrepreneurship. It will interest you to know that Abia state is not a civil service but a business driven state with too many potentials. We shall explore these potentials to drive the economic prosperity of our people.
“I am focused on the conviction that I have the capacity, experience and exposure to deliver if elected as the Govenor of Abia state. We are looking forward to the party primaries and I am confident of winning it by the grace of God. Our people should be encouraged to register massively and elect the right people to lead them.”
Kalu Idika further pledged to make good agricultural policies that will help farmers to boost food sufficiency, stressing that he will move the state from subsistence to commercial agriculture by engaging the youths through mechanised farming.
“Agriculture is currently the main contributor to Abia State’s economy, comprising 27% of Gross Demostic Product (GDP) and directly or indirectly employing as much as 80% of the workforce. Agricultural sector is going to be one of the key priorities of our administration. The sector offers opportunities in a variety of segments, ranging from husbandry and fisheries to cash crops and downstream processing, but realising its potential will require significant investment to restructure and modernise the industry,” he said.
