2019 Abia guber : Ukauwa steps down for Ogah
. Says Ogah most credible of all aspirants
. Warns Buhari to ‘bring down Ikonne’s hand or APC ‘ll lose Abia
By Steve Oko
One of the foremost governorship aspirants of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia State, Ambassador Chidike Ukauwa, has withdrawn from the race.
The business mogul who announced this today in Umuahia said he was stepping down for Dr. Uche Ogah who he said “is God-sent and the most qualified” of all those jostling for the position.
He said he could not contest against Ogah who he had much respect for, and who is more formidable , hence his decision to step down for him.
Ukauwa said he was convinced that Ogah if given the APC ticket would sweep the poll in 2019 in view of his unbeatable pedigree, rising popularity and proven integrity.
His words : ” You will agree with me that I was the foremost aspirant that wanted to run for the governorship in 2019 because of the need to rescue Abia State from strangulation but now that I have seen a political messiah who can salvage Abia, I want to step down for him.
” I have found a man of credibility with capacity to deliver. He understands the cries of the people and when he comes out the people will queue behind him.
” He has quality and credibility. Ogah is the only person that if he emerges as APC candidate everybody will line up behind him.
“I decided to step down because I have seen a man who has all it takes to change the face of Abia and Abia economy. “
Ukauwa denied any financial inducement by the oil baron to step down for him, saying he is rather willing to support Ogah with his resources and by collapsing his political structure into his for greater results.
He further said that unlike Ogah who has made his marks in the private sector, many of those jostling to rule the state were failed and frustrated business men who saw politics as the only hope of rebounceing.
Ukauwa said Ogah, if given the opportunity, would replicate his private sector success story in the governance of the state.
“Why we are not progressing is because we have devilish people ruling us. People who have failed in business now want to be governor. Things will only be okay in Abia if Uche Ogah becomes Governor.”
Ukauwa warned that APC’s dream to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Abia come 2019 would remain a mirage if the wrong candidate were imposed on the party.
He strongly frowned at the argument by some aspirants from Ukwa/Ngwa bloc that APC should cede the governorship slot to them in the spirit of Abia charter of equity, insisting that there is no zoning in APC .
Ukauwa said before he joined the race, the state Chairman of APC, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa who also hails from Ukwa /Ngwa had assured him the party “does not recognize zoning “.
He expressed confidence in the leadership of the party but warned that should the party compromise or succumb to the zoning narrative, ” that will be the end of APC in Abia “.
Ukauwa who warned the presidency against imposing any candidate on Abia said APC should forget the 2019 in the state if it fields any candidate other than Ogah.
” Last week we saw the picture of Mr. President raising up the hand of Paul Ikonne.
“Tell Buhari to bring down that hand and allow Abians to choose their candidate. We are not blind; we are not animals. There will be revolution if Abuja tries to impose any candidate on us.
” The people should be allowed to determine who their candidate is at the primaries. Except APC fields a credible candidate like Ogah, it will fail in Abia “
He, therefore, urged other governorship aspirants to also step down for Ogah who he said “is more formidable to reecue and re-start the state.
” If somebody like me can withdraw for Ogah every other aspirant should also step down so we can field our best. He is the only one who can deliver Abia for now.”
Ukauwa said he would retire from active politics should Ogah fail to deliver two years after assuming office .
He, again warned of the dire consequences of manipulating the APC primaries against Ogah who he insisted is the choice of not only the majority of APC members but the generality of Abians across party divides.
“It will be disaster for APC if Ogah is robbed the opportunity through manipulated primaries “.
End
Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.
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