Umuahia, Feb. 5, 2023: Chief Ikechi Emenike, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Abia, on Sunday, unveiled his manifesto with a mission to “Rescue and Develop Abia State”.
He presented the document before party stalwarts, supporters and journalists at his Umukabia, Ohuhu country home in Umuahia North Local Government of the state.
Emenike, in his 23 key deliverables for 2023, pledged to build sustainable institutions and systems for the benefit of the youths, women, men and elderly.
He decried the level of decay in the state and warned that it could only get worse if fresh and positive initiatives were not put in place to reverse the trend.
Emenike said the prayers, cries, persuasions and pledges to support his governorship aspiration to lift Abia from its poverty and backwardness had been overwhelming.
“Thus on the strength of popular clamour and divine inspiration, I, Ikechi Emenike, offer myself once again as a vessel to rescue and develop Abia.
“The first step is to win the 2023 governorship election and rescue Abia State from the fangs of incompetent, cruel and corrupt men and women who have held the state down for 24 years.
“Subsequently, we shall propel the state into a fresh highway of socio-economic development,” he said.
Emenike said that if elected, his administration would grow the financial building blocks and size of the state’s budget and residents’ quality of life.
According to him, the current state budget of under – N 200 billion cannot bring the necessary development to the state.
He promised a total overhaul and enhancement of primary and secondary education such that headmasters, principals and their key staff would live within their institution’s premises.
The governorship hopeful promised to put in place a functional and effective free education plan up to Junior Secondary School class 3.
On security, Emenike said his administration would not shy away from taking tough decisions that could restore sanity in the state and its institutions.
“We shall firmly demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, criminals and criminality, without dehumanising any Abia resident,” he said.
The University of Jos-trained economist pledged to deliberately create 12 Abia-based billionaires within the first three years of his administration.
Emenike, who is the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the African Economy magazine, said that his administration would revolutionize and intensify value-added agricultural practices.
Earlier in his remarks, the state Chairman of the party, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, extolled Emenike’s leadership qualities, saying that he was adequately prepared to rescue the state.
He urged everyone to support Emenike in order to ensure his victory at the March 11 governorship election.
The unveiling was witnessed by the Deputy Governorship Candidate, Mrs Gloria Akara and other party faithful. (NAN)
