By ONWUKWE EZERU
The former deputy Governor of Abia State and a member of Board of Trustee of All Progressive Congress Dr. Comrade Chris Akomas last weekend declared his interest to run for 2019 Abia Guber race.
In this interview with our correspondent Onwukwe Ezeru, he speaks on his mission, how he would use only four years to turn around Abia State and why Nigerians, South East and Abians should vote for the All Progressive Congress come 2019.
Q: YOUR EXCELLENCY, WHAT INFORMED YOUR DECISION TO COME OUT FOR 2019 GUBERNATORIAL RACE.
ANS: There is urgent need for good things to happen in Abia and that cannot happen unless there is the passion, the knowledge, the network of what to do, where to do it to make things happen. Abia was one the most advanced state in the past but it is lagging behind and there is need to turn things around and give Abians the respectability they deserve not only within the nation, not only within the comity of Nations but Internationally. The state is blessed with human resources and there is the need to give impetus to human capital. Abia is blessed with creativity, innovation and technical know-how and there is need for us to harness it. I appreciate what Dr. Ikpeazu has done in the area of campaign for made in Abia goods and other infrastructural development in the state but I want state unequivocally that I know and believe that Abia under the watch of All Progressive Congress come 2019, will do it better.
Let me not forget to tell you that for you to achieve this, you must not be on the fence. You must come into the mainstream. Ndigbo is looking for Igbo President in 2023 and I think the support for Buhari will make the Igbo achieve this. I am a board of trustee member of APC and had been involved in Nigerian politics and I think the Igbos voting for APC will give us the strength to negotiate. Just as I said, when a South-Easterner becomes the president of Nigeria in 2023, you will see a turnaround in Abia and that will start in 2019 when I Dr. Chris Akomas becomes the Governor of the state.
Q: YOU ARE AN ADVOCATE OF A SINGLE TENURE; WOULD YOU PERFORM MAGIC WHEN OTHERS SERVED FOR 8 YEARS IF YOU ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY?
ANS: I am one of the strong proponents of a single tenure of five years. Five years is good enough for me to do what Abians will want and like. What I will do is to divide the other year and add it to the four years. I mean three months to each year. How many years have president Buhari did and look at the change be brought into Nigeria. Where in Nigeria have you even seen a Governor going to jail for corruption? Where have you seen a serving Senator been arrested and put in prison. Where have heard that a general was arrested for corruption? With Mr. President’s fight against corruption, looted fund have been recovered. In 2011, when I was campaigning, I told people to judge me after 2½ years of my administration and see things to themselves. I know that my brothers from old Bende will be wondering if this man goes for 4 years, will he keep to it.
I am a gentleman. I know what to do and how to do it and I know how to source for fund. There are a lot of industries that have remained moribund, I will revive them, create jobs and internationally generated revenue will be shored up. Within the first three years, it will be projects upon projects and the fourth year would be commissioning of projects. APC has a plan for Nigeria and Abia in particular. Let people key into the plan and let’s work together as a team. I want to say it again; I don’t need more than 4 years to achieve my dream for Abia. How many years did Senator Ngige did to set Anambra on the path of development and progress. He did 3½ years, cleared all salary arrears, put up infrastructures that stood the test of time. Governor Peter Obi came and continued from where Senator Ngige stopped. Governor Willie Obiano came and followed suit. Those projects did by others were not done again. Within 4 years, I Chris Akomas will turn Abia round.
Q: YOU ARE AWARE THAT OTHER ASPIRANTS FROM ABIA NORTH AND CENTRAL ZONES WANT TO BE GOVERNOR IN 2019. WHAT DO THINK DISTINGUISHED YOU FROM THEM?
ANS: There was a written understanding of Abia charter of equity and unwritten understanding of zoning and that is why the Ukwa Ngwa zone should produce Governor. This is just to make for equity and fair play in Abia polity. I have a lot that distinguishes me from others. I have a tested, proven and known passion and experience. I have the experience nationally and internationally. I have worked as a National and International person, worked as a public servant. I am not taking anything away from my colleagues that are contesting. That is the beauty of democracy and politics. But one thing I have that is worth more is given the opportunity, I will carry everybody along so that all of us would work together and they will have their respect.
But let’s face the truth. Abia North did 8 years; Abia Central had also done eight years. This is Abia South turn and it is improper to say that the zone should do only 4 years. If this happens, you will be calling for disharmony. People will feel that somebody somewhere is disrespecting them and you know Abia South is not the people you can be disrespected. We supported other zones when there was need for support. We respected other zones where there was need for respect and will continue to respect and support them. All we are saying is respect is reciprocal. Abia South should complete their 8 years. For me, coming out to run is what makes politics sweet. It gives the electorate the chances of choosing the best. All I say is that Abians should make the right choice and Dr. Chris Akomas is the right person.
Q: THERE WAS THIS UKWA NGWA DECLARATION AT OKPUALA NGWA THAT NO NGWA SON SHOULD VIE FOR 2019 GOVERNORSHIP EXCEPT DR. OKEZIE IKPEAZU AND THE NGWA TRADITIONAL RULERS POURED LIBATION. IS YOUR COMING OUT NOT CONTRADICTING THE GENERAL AGREEMENT SINCE YOU ARE FROM THE ZONE?
ANS: The Okpuala Ngwa declaration was sponsored by the people’s democratic party. I am not in PDP. I am in the All Progressive Congress and my party members had their own declaration that every Ukwa Ngwa has the right to vie for 2019 Governorship and that is why I am coming out. No other son of Ukwa Ngwa is more sound than Chris Akomas. My parents and great grandparents were from Ngwa including my maternal ground parents from Nsulu in Isialangwa North local government area of Abia State. In all round, I am an Ngwa son, I am in APC and I have come out for 2019 Governorship and I have the confidence that Abians will vote for me to rebuild Abia.
Q: FINALLY, YOUR ADVICE TO ABIA PEOPLE AS THE ELECTION DRAWS NEAR.
ANS: Abians know me and they know what I can do. My advice to them is to ensure that they register and get their permanent voters cards, and vote for me in the next gubernatorial election in 2019 while I assure them of good governance that would provide them good things that had eluded them in the past.
Like I said earlier, vote for APC and Buhari in 2019 would pave the way for Igbo Presidency in 2023. Let’s stop being in the opposition party, let’s join the APC moving train to attract federal governments attention to the state.
End.
