A frontline Governorship hopeful in Abia under the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Chief Ncheta Omerekpe, has assured the people of Ukwa East and West of ending all injustices meted to them by the Niger Delta Development, Commission, NDDC and ASOPADEC by previous administrations if elected Governor in 2023.
Chief Omerekpe, gave the cheering news on Wednesday while addressing party stakeholders and delegates as he kick started his tour of all the 17 LGAs in the State for the purpose of familiarizing with stakeholders and party delegates ahead the primaries of the PDP.
He said his visit was necessitated by the strategic position Ukwa East and West play in Abia State, stressing that the mineral and material resources chunked out from the zone, has sustained Abia for years, hence the need to pay attention to the development of Ukwa East and West including giving them a pride of place.
The renowned philanthropist, stated that Ukwa East and West have both benefitted from his foundation in the area of medical outreach, pledging to do more for them if they give him their vote at the primaries.
Chief Omerekpe who faulted the idea of anointing candidates in Abia State, maintained that this has retarded development in the State as well as encouraged mediocrity. stressing that he is eminently qualified to run for the Governorship seat as he has for the past 17 years embarked on road projects, philanthropy among others.
He said Ukwa East and West are in a mess despite their valuable contributions to the economy, urging them to get angry and change the system that has held down their development while assuring them of NDDC and ASOPADEC massive presence in the zone if he emerges as Governor.
Chief Ncheta Omerekpe, however, appealed to the delegates to vote according to their conscience and resist all forms of intimidation and pressure, revealing that there will be adequate security on the day of the primaries.
Responding, the Party Chairman, Ukwa East LGA, Mr Okechi Godffery, Former Speaker Abia House of Assembly, Right Hon. Emeka Stanley ,assured that the delegates will vote for him in the primaries having exposed and highlighted all their problems.
Also Deputy Chairman Ukwa East Hon Elvis Wabara, Chief Mrs Stella Igbokwe, Hon. Eric Ugbor, Reginald Ezenta, Elder Israel Bethel, retired Magistrate Emiley Abba, Leader of Ukwa East legislative Council, Mrs Beatrice Mejuru among others, lauded Chief Omerepke for his expositions, praying God to see him through in his ambition.
Meanwhile, speaking at Ukwa West, a former Deputy Speaker, Abia state House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Ngozi Ulunwa, said it is nice that Chief Omerekpe has aptly identified their problems, adding that they have suffered a lot and they are not ready to continue suffering and will vote according to their conscience.
Other speakers like Hon. Ikpechukwu Onuoha, Hon John Ajuzieogu and the PDP Chairman in Ukwa West, Kingsley Enyitte, lamented how Ukwa West has been bereft of development even as a Oil producing community, stating their readiness to get it right this time.
They said, the zone has the potentials to be great, but decried that past administrations have neglected them for so long, believing that Chief Omerekpe is straight forward and sincere in his presentation.
Correspondent reports that stakeholders, delegates, party faithful topped out en masse to welcome Chief Ncheta Omerepke popularly called (Ofor Ndi Igbo) and ( ODOZI OBODO ) respectively.
