By Roland Ogbonnaya
Abia State gubernatorial prospect Eric Opah has sent a message of encouragement to the Abia Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus and voters across party lines ahead of the PDP primary on 4 February.
Opah spoke from Abuja, where he went to satisfy the requirements of the PDP for participation in the renewed race following the death of Prof Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne, the erstwhile candidate of the party.
The entrepreneur said he had one-on-one assurances from the PDP leader in Abia State that the race would be open, not tilted to any candidate, and that the contestants should seek and get preferment from the party faithful. He said he is committed to an open, free and fair race, as assured by the party leader, with no cards stacked in favour of anyone.
Opah is from the same Nsulu as the departed flag bearer, Prof Ikonne. The popular opinion in political circles in Abia State is for the choice of a candidate of Nsulu origin to replace Ikonne.
Opah asked the PDP members eligible to vote to speak peaceably and have a calm and calculated disposition. “My mission is to amplify what Abia State represents as God’s own state. The vision is of a state where truth prevails in private and public affairs and where citizens trust one another”.
Opah added, “I seek with you an Abia State where we manage public resources for the betterment of everyone, a state where no part or community would cry endlessly for attention as if the government was there to supervise uneven infrastructure and social development. In the new Abia State, unity is our mantra.
“For government, accountability will be our watchword and the evidence of leadership. It will be a state where citizens and visitors would be proud to live in and always visit and where citizens’ pride is anchored in the project’s character within”.
Eric Opah from Mbubo-Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and community development engineer. The experienced business administrator is the founder of Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Limited, one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous logistics companies.
Opah currently serves as the Chairman Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce, Abia State Chapter. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria (IODN), president of the Eric Opah Foundation, President Umunna-Nsulu Progressive Forum, and the President of Mbubo Transformation Group.
