2015: Abaribe joins Abia guber race

By Ikechukwu Okaforad

Senate Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has formally declared his intention to contest the governorship of Abia State in 2015.

Abaribe, who is a former Deputy Governor of the state told party officials at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Umuahia at the weekend that he would consolidate on the developmental efforts of the incumbent when elected.

Also, Abia state PDP Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, assured that a level playing field at the primary election remains the irreducible minimum, because the party is not about encouraging people without experience to come and learn on the job as a governor.

Abaribe, amid thunderous applause, informed the officers that he was at the party state secretariat to declare his intention to contest for the governorship of Abia state come 2015.

“I am here to formally tell you that I, Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, will contest for the office of governor of Abia State in 2015. I have consulted widely. I have been to Abia North, Central and South. I have consulted the party elders and stakeholders. I have met the people and the consensus opinion is that I should contest for this exalted office of governor of Abia state”, he said.

At the well attended occasion, Abaribe who came with party members and officials from across the state assured that as governor he would consolidate on the already laid foundation for the development of the state by the governor Chief T A Orji. He however, said it is the duty of the party to advise on who is best qualified for the job adding that the party knows those who have sustained the party at different levels.

Merit, driven by experience and strength of character, he added, are the only prerequisite for the job, which he told the cheering crowd he believes can be found in him.

“I shall never disappoint the people of Abia state as governor”, he added.

Responding, the PDP chairman  thanked Abaribe for his forthrightness and his avowed loyalty and commitment to the growth of PDP since its formation.

Nwaka assured that the party would conduct a credible primary election. “When the time comes, we will ensure that the field is very, very level. It is only such that can assure the party’s victory at the polls. Current realities points to that fact”, he said.