Sen. Emma Nwaka joins Abia governorship race

A Third Republic lawmaker in Abia, Sen. Emma Nwaka, Tuesday declared his aspiration to contest the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nwaka made the declaration at the party’s Secretariat in Umuahia.

By the declaration, the aspirant becomes the first in the state to formally announce his governorship ambition to his party.

In a speech, captioned “Here am I: Send me”, he said that he had earlier announced his aspiration to his Ward 5 Oguduasa executive in Isuikwuato Local Government Area and the Abia North Zonal executive.

He said: “It was about a year ago that the divine inspiration to aspire to the number one job in Abia struck me.
“I meditated long and hard on the idea before broaching it to my family.

“After praying about it, the consensus was that given my political pedigree, there was nothing wrong, if I chose to give it a shot.

“So, the decision to throw my hat in the ring is entirely mine and not at the prompting of any individual or group.”

Nwaka, who represented Abia North Senatorial District in the short-lived republic (1992-1993), said he had received endorsements from groups and persons during his consultations.

“To be candid, I am really humbled by the high level of acceptability, which my aspiration has generated across the length and breadth of Abia.

“It is in furtherance of my consultations that I am here today before the state Executive Committee of our party.

“It is with all sense of humility and the courage of my conviction that I say to you: Here am I: Send me,” he said.

Nwaka, who was the PDP state Chairman (2011 to 2015), said that his humble beginning and challenges in life had sufficiently equipped him for leadership.

He argued that he would not have offered himself if he was not predisposed “to add value and make our party and the people of Abia proud in the comity of states”.

He promised to rely strongly on the 30-year Development Plan and Urban Development Plans for Ohafia and Umuahia, produced by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration to do a new thing in the state.

He said that he would assemble the best hands in the state who would be prepared to offer selfless service to actualize the dreams of Abia founding fathers for a well-developed state.

Nwaka, who is a legal practitioner, recalled that the Abia Charter of Equity, drafted by the founding fathers upon the creation of Abia, was intended to promote peace, fairness, and equity in power-sharing among the various component units that make up the state.

He, however, contended that “Isuikwuato is the only district yet to taste power at the highest level in Abia under our current democratic dispensation”.

He expressed optimism that the governor, together with the party leadership and stakeholders, would ensure that the people of Isuikwuato District were not denied “what is due to them at this moment in time”.

He said he was convinced that he was the best man for the party’s governorship ticket, “if fidelity to the party in good and bad times, credibility and integrity are traits to be considered”.

Nwaka gave an assurance that he would serve with honesty and fear of God to make Abia truly great.

“I make bold to say that at this moment in time, I am the safest hand to be entrusted with the governance of our state because you all know from my antecedents that I will run an inclusive government with sincerity of purpose and transparency.

“What is more, I will make sure that no section of the state is neglected.

“Our party men and women know that with me in the saddle, they will not be relegated to the background,” he further said.

Responding, the state party Chairman, Dr. Alwell Asiforo, said he was happy that Nwaka mustered the courage to seek to become the governor of the state.

“We are proud of you. Your aspiration has given us the confidence that tomorrow those of us here now can also aspire to become governor.

“Today, we can now boast that we have an aspirant. If anybody else comes tomorrow, we place them on the same level,” Asiforo said.

He promised that the party would provide a level playing field for all the aspirants during the primaries and will be firm to do the right thing.

According to him, the party leadership must not fail to reward those who have contributed to making the party what it is in the state.

Nwaka was accompanied on the visit by party chieftains in Isuikwuato, Bende, and Umuahia, including Chief Ude Obike, Chief Obinna Ekekwe, Chief Onyejelem Amaechi and Navy Capt. Christopher Osondu (Rtd.), amongst others.