APC governorship aspirant, Chief Eric Opah, has pledged to transform Aba into the trading and industrial hub of Abia State and the South-East if elected governor in 2027.
Opah made the declaration on Wednesday during his formal unveiling at the APC State Secretariat in Umuahia.
The businessman, who arrived at the venue alongside a large number of supporters, said his administration would focus on uniting Abia across the three senatorial zones and ending what he described as the divide between the “old and new Abia.”
According to him, his years in business have been built on honesty, transparency and empowerment, values he promised to bring into governance.
“For over 20 years, I have built businesses based on integrity and transparency while empowering people. If elected governor, I will provide Abians with an open and inclusive government,” Opah stated.
He stressed the need for transparency in governance, noting that citizens deserve to know the true cost of government projects.
“Our people want an administration that carries everyone along. I have managed my businesses in that manner, and I will run the state the same way,” he added.
Speaking on economic development, Opah said Aba’s greatest strength lies in commerce and enterprise, promising to build his administration around the city’s business potential.
“Aba has always been a commercial centre just as Cross River is known for tourism. Developing Aba will be central to my administration. We will connect local businesses with foreign investors and ensure workers get their rightful benefits,” he said.
The APC aspirant also promised to revive moribund industries, promote vocational and technical education, and create opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship and industrialized agriculture.
Drawing inspiration from China’s technical development model, Opah said his government would prioritize skills acquisition over paper qualifications and establish modern hospitals to reduce medical tourism and provide affordable healthcare for residents.
He further assured that agriculture and small and medium-scale enterprises would receive adequate support to boost the state’s economy and create jobs.
“The economy will be revived, youths empowered and agriculture given top priority if my party gives me the ticket in 2027,” he said.
Opah appealed to APC members to support his aspiration, promising to return the seat of power from Nvosi to Umuahia. He also commended party stakeholders for efforts aimed at strengthening unity within the APC.
Earlier, the Abia APC Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, said political participation in the state had improved significantly, noting that many people who once feared contesting elections are now actively involved in politics.
Chukwu praised the governors of Imo and Enugu states for ongoing road projects in their states while criticizing what he described as the high cost of road construction in Abia.
He also faulted the administration of Governor Alex Otti over alleged lack of transparency and the lingering judiciary workers’ strike.
“No state in Nigeria is owing salaries, so payment of salaries should not be seen as an achievement,” Chukwu said.
The APC chairman warned against declaring governorship ambitions solely on social media, insisting that only aspirants who purchase nomination forms and officially present themselves before the State Working Committee would be recognized by the party.
He, however, assured all aspirants of a transparent and level playing field during the party’s primary process.
