APC governorship aspirant Eric Opah says he will make Aba the trading hub of Abia and the South-East if he secures the party’s ticket and wins in 2027.
Opah made the pledge on Wednesday at the APC state secretariat in Umuahia during his formal unveiling.
The renowned entrepreneur who arrived with a large crowd of supporters, said his vision is to unify Abia across Senatorial zones and end the division between “old and new Abia.”
“For 20 years, I have built businesses on honesty and transparency, and empowered people in the process,” Opah said. “If I become governor, I will give Abia the open, inclusive administration it needs.”
“Our state needs a governor who will tell Abians the actual cost of projects. Abians want an inclusive government. I have run my businesses that way, and I will do the same for the state,” he added.
Opah said Aba’s comparative advantage lies in trade, and his administration would build on it.
“Aba has always been a business hub, just as Cross River is known for tourism. Developing Aba will be the fulcrum of my administration. We will integrate local businesses with foreign investors and ensure workers receive what is due them.”
He promised to revive moribund companies and prioritize vocational training over paper qualifications, citing China’s model of technical skill development. He also pledged to curb medical tourism by building well-equipped hospitals to deliver affordable, quality healthcare in the state.
On agriculture and SMEs, Opah said he would industrialize farming and strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises. He added that his government would create opportunities to make youths productive.
“The economy will be revived, youths empowered, and agriculture given utmost attention if my party gives me the ticket in 2027,” he said.
Opah urged the APC to nominate him, pledged to return the seat of power from Nvosi to Umuahia, and commended party stakeholders for efforts to unite the party.
Earlier, APC State Chairman Hon. Chijioke Chukwu said Abians were once afraid to contest elections but are now more engaged. He commended the governors of Imo and Enugu for their road projects and faulted the high cost and slow pace of road construction in Abia.
Chukwu also criticized the Otti administration for lack of transparency and its handling of the judiciary workers’ strike. “No state in Nigeria is owing salaries, and salary payment is not an achievement,” he said.
He cautioned against declaring governorship ambitions on social media, stating that only aspirants who have bought forms and presented themselves to the State Working Committee would be recognized.
Chukwu assured that the APC would provide a level playing field for all aspirants.
