Ahead 2023 governorship election, the race gained more excitement as the immediate past Commissioner of Finance, Chief Obinna Oriaku declared his governorship ambition Tuesday.  

"I  will reclaim Abia state and usher in a State devoid of clannish or primordial sentiments. Our Abia is  beyond redemption",  he asserted while making his intentions known in his ward in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South LGA

Chief Oriaku who is pursuing his ambition under the All Progressive Congress, APC maintained that Abia under his watch, will not promote ethnic divisions, but will be one indivisible State where the citizenry will share common values and relegate to the background, parochialism and unnecessary sentiments that have held sway for years.

The former banker  promised to run an inclusive administration where everyone's voice would be  heard.

 "We will change the paradigm and rejig both our cultural and social values and it is not in doubt if Obinna has the wherewithal to achieve it, my antecedents will speak for me", he maintained.

He reiterated that his administration if elected would be one of openness, transparency and accountability, "...Abia shall be great", he emphasised and solicited  the support of all Abians to enable him take decision to enthrone a sincere and passionate government  come 2023.

Oriaku who recalled how he initiated reforms on Civil Service; Judiciary; Procurement reforms; Local government system reforms, State owned parastatals reforms like ABSUTH, Abia Poly, HMB among others abd  pointed out that most of these reforms have capacity of repositioning Abia for growth and development but have remained dormant  till date.

He further  emphasized that the government under his guidance will dig deeper into the challenges that hamper development in the state in addition to the identified problems cum challenges, stating that he will ensure that mediocrity is uprooted for excellence.

Oriaku also promised to facilitate sustainable, enduring and people oriented programmes and policies that will touch the lives of Abians in general.

He said his own kind of opposition politics, is for all irrespective of party affiliation, to come together and liberate the State from bad leadership that has cost Abia her development all these years, adding that he doesn't believe in criticising party in power but engages in constructive criticism on how to make things work.

Oriaku reeled out his achievements while in office, stressing that his records are still intact and speak for him, reiterating that there were a whole lot of government interventions, revealing that things have worsened in the state which was never before under his watch as Abia Finance Commissioner.

Also speaking, Hon Acho Obioma, (Chomen), appreciated the Governorship aspirations of Hon. Oriaku, noting that as former Finance Commissioner in the State, he garnered  enough experience that Abia needs at this critical time.

He said he has pledged to support the governorship ambition of any of the aspirants in the APC, expressing optimism that come 2023, APC will produce the next Governor of the State.