2027: Etugo Ogah Flags Off NDC Governorship Campaign, Says He Will Replicate Peter Obi’s Leadership Style In Abia
The Governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), in Abia State, Chief Etugo Ndubuisi Ogah, has officially flagged off his campaign in Umuahia, promising to replicate the leadership style of former Anambra State Governor and Presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, if elected Governor.
Ogah said he would run a prudent and accountable government, insisting that public funds would be judiciously utilized for the benefit of the people.
He described Obi as a leader who demonstrated financial discipline during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, adding that he would adopt a similar approach to managing Abia’s resources.
Speaking at the campaign flag-off ceremony held at the Etugo Divine Mandate Campaign Office in Umuahia, Ogah said his administration would prioritize industrialization, job creation, security and shared prosperity.
He pledged to harness the state’s human and natural resources to stimulate economic growth and create opportunities for residents.
The NDC Governorship candidate also expressed confidence that the party would win the 2027 Governorship election, urging supporters to mobilize voters across the state.
In his remarks, the Abia State Chairman of the party, Ako Atulomah, criticized the incumbent administration, alleging that it had received substantial resources without commensurate results.
He said the people needed righteous leadership that would prioritize their welfare, expressing confidence in Ogah’s ability to provide such leadership.
Atulomah further declared that the political wave that brought the current leadership to power in Abia, would eventually sweep it out, expressing optimism about Peter Obi’s political influence.
The South-East Zonal Chairman of the NDC, Sir Teddy Obe, said the party was poised for victory, describing it as a political platform capable of liberating Nigerians from poor governance.
Also speaking, the party’s House of Assembly candidate for Umuahia North, Chief Chinedu Obilor, who spoke on behalf of other Assembly candidates, appreciated the party’s national leadership for presenting certificates of candidacy to the flag bearers.
He assured supporters that the candidates were prepared to work towards rescuing Abia State and Nigeria.
Similarly, the House of Representatives candidate for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Evangeline Iwenjiora, and the Abia North Senatorial candidate, Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole, expressed confidence in the party’s strength and organizational capacity.
Nkole urged party supporters to remain vigilant and protect their votes during the elections, insisting that the NDC had demonstrated resilience and readiness for the political contest.
The Deputy Governorship candidate, Engr. Bright Alaribe, said the large turnout at the event demonstrated that people were voluntarily identifying with the party.
He maintained that the NDC does not rely on sharing money to attract supporters but on its promise of meaningful change, development and economic prosperity.
In his closing remarks, Ogah commended the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his role in securing his governorship ticket and acknowledged Peter Obi’s leadership record, particularly in healthcare development, job creation and prudent management of public resources.
He called for equity, fairness and justice in the state’s political arrangement, insisting that it is the turn of Abia north district to produce the next Governor, while describing the NDC as a government that would be for the people and driven by their collective interests.
In an interview with journalists, Ogah, who hails from Uturu in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, accused the administration of Governor Alex Otti of shortcomings in infrastructure, healthcare and industrial development.
He argued that Abia, historically known for its industrial and commercial activities, particularly in Aba, had yet to realise its full economic potential.
The candidate said he had been involved in Abia politics since 2006 and understood the state’s political and developmental challenges, expressing confidence in his ability to provide effective leadership.
Ogah reiterated his admiration for Obi’s financial management style, saying he possessed the same capacity to manage public resources responsibly.
He promised that his administration would deploy available resources to establish businesses, attract investments, boost internally generated revenue and position Abia among the leading economies in sub-Saharan Africa.
The NDC candidate further promised to tackle hunger within his first 100 days in office, arguing that the prevailing economic hardship required urgent government intervention.
He questioned the management of funds accruing to Abia since May 2023, asking the incumbent administration to account for the resources received and the cost of projects executed.
The NDC candidate also alleged that the state’s political and governance structure under the present administration had encouraged discrimination and segregation between what he described as the ‘New Abia’ and ‘Old Abia’ dichotomy.
On industrialization, he promised to attract entrepreneurs, investors and professionals from countries including Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China to establish industries in the state.
He said his administration would focus on developing local production capacity, reducing dependence on imported goods and transforming Abia into a major export hub in Nigeria.
Ogah expressed confidence that Abia could become one of the best industrialized states in sub-Saharan Africa, citing China’s industrial city of Guangzhou as a model for his proposed economic transformation.
Meanwhile, the State Coordinator of the NDC Abia Pastors and Ministers Forum, Pastor Abraham Onyeoma, called on Christian leaders to intensify voter education and encourage their members to participate actively in the electoral process.
He said pastors had a responsibility to educate Christians, particularly in the South-East, where voter apathy had remained a concern due to political disillusionment and the belief among some residents that their votes do not count.
Onyeoma maintained that political participation was important because decisions taken by those in authority directly affected the lives of citizens.
Recall that the NDC Governorship campaign flag-off was preceded by a mega homecoming rally in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, where Ogah pledged to industrialize Abia and transform the state into Nigeria’s leading export destination.
