The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has presented 37 candidates who will contest various elective positions in Abia State in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the party has come to stay and is poised to take over the leadership of the state.
The candidates were unveiled during the party’s flag presentation ceremony held in Umuahia, where the NDC State Chairman, Chief Ako Atulomah, described the event as a demonstration of the party’s growing strength and organisational structure in Abia.
Atulomah said the NDC was the fastest-growing political party in Abia and described it as a “vessel of grace” and a vehicle for liberation and service to the people.
According to him, the party was determined to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots, particularly those who work for the success of political campaigns.
He said the NDC would no longer accept a system where grassroots mobilisers are sidelined while political elites who did little during elections reap the benefits.
“NDC has come to correct the narrative where grassroots mobilizers are sidelined and the elites who did not work during election will be given all. We are saying no. Those that work should be allowed to eat”, Atulomah said.
He urged party members to see the task of building the NDC as a collective responsibility, stressing that the party’s mission was centred on service to the people.
“NDC has come to save Abia. It is a collective task and not an individual task. NDC is service to the people”, he added.
Speaking after receiving the party’s flag, the NDC Governorship candidate, Chief Etugo Ndubuisi Ogah, expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections.
Ogah said his campaign would prioritise unity within the party, announcing plans to embark on reconciliation visits to aspirants who contested the party’s primaries but did not emerge as candidates.
He said the move was aimed at ensuring that all members remained united and committed to the party’s electoral objectives.
The Governorship candidate appreciated the party chairman, members of the State Working Committee, candidates and supporters for their contributions, noting that with their collective support, victory was achievable.
He also commended members of the Kwankwansiyya movement and various support groups and structures for their commitment, urging them to continue promoting the NDC wherever they found themselves.
The NDC candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Engr. Stanley Uche, described the NDC as the party to beat in the 2027 elections.
Uche said the party would challenge the incumbent and other political forces in the state, expressing confidence in the capacity of the party’s presidential candidate to provide a new direction for Nigeria.
“We will take over the leadership of the state. We will fight to ensure our party changes the narrative. Ikwuano/Umuahia will experience a transformation”, he said.
Uche further pledged to deploy his public sector experience to the development of the constituency, urging the electorate to give him an opportunity to serve.
“Ikwuano/Umuahia needs to give people like us a chance and I assure them that they will not regret it”, he added.
The NDC candidate for Abia North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole, also expressed confidence in his ability to defeat the incumbent senator, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Nkole, a former member of the House of Representatives, said the goodwill enjoyed by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would contribute to the NDC’s electoral prospects.
He said Nigerians were looking forward to a different style of leadership, insisting that the emergence of a “New Nigeria” was possible under the NDC.
“With Peter Obi, a New Nigeria is possible. We believe things would be done differently. Trust us with your mandate and be assured that a New Nigeria would emerge come May 29, 2027″, Nkole said.
On his senatorial contest against the incumbent, Nkole said no politician was immune to defeat.
“The incumbent defeated someone to emerge, so also he is not immune to being defeated. It’s a simple mathematics”.
The NDC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, urged voters to prioritise experience and capacity when choosing their representative for the Senate.
Nwogu, a former two-term senator, said the upper legislative chamber was too serious an institution to be used for experimentation.
“Senate is not for rookies. It is not a place you go and do buga or experiment. It is a serious business that demands seriousness from those going there”, she said.
Nwogu, a banker by profession, recalled her previous service as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial institutions, saying she contributed to legislation that led to the establishment of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
She said the legislation helped provide mechanisms for rescuing distressed banks and protecting depositors.
She also recalled her tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas Resources, claiming that she contributed to efforts that enabled Nigeria to receive dividends from its joint ventures with gas companies.
Looking ahead, Nwogu said she would pursue the conversion of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, into a conventional federal university to allow students in the area to study courses beyond agriculture.
She argued that such a move would enable young people to study disciplines such as Law, Medicine and other courses closer to home.
Having served as a Pro-Chancellor of a university for four years, Nwogu said she possessed the experience required to improve representation and development in Abia Central.
“I have the experience to raise the bar of Abia Central Senatorial District. You don’t drop your champion for the less. I am the best,” she declared.
The candidates unveiled by the party include:
1. Chief Etugo Ndubuisi Ogah — Governor
2. Engr. Bright M. Alaribe — Deputy Governor
3. Sen. Nkechi Nwogu — Abia Central Senatorial District
4. Rt. Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole — Abia North Senatorial District
5. Enyinnaya Kasarachi — Abia South Senatorial District
6. Dr. Evangeline Iwenjiora — Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency
7. Pascal Karibe Ojigwe — Bende Federal Constituency
8. Engr. Stanley Uche — Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency
9. Ifeanyi Ognonna — Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency
10. Ugorji Chikezie J. — Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency
11. Oforji Chimene — Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency
12. Hon. ThankGod — Aba North/South Federal Constituency
13. Pastor David Orum — Aba Central Federal Constituency
14. Ezigbo Fidelis N.
15. Hilary Chukwubuike G.
16. Maduabuchi Ejimonu
17. Chinedu O. Ijoma — Arochukwu
18. Bar. Jonas O. Udensi — Bende North
19. Emeka Philip — Bende South
20. Dr. Kalu Chukwuemeka Israel — Ikwuano
21. Matthew Roland — Isiala Ngwa North
22. Agrippa Michael C. — Isiala Ngwa South
23. Victor Chinyere Okoronkwo — Isuikwuato
24. Oscar E. Ojoghu — Obingwa East
25. Alozie O. Darlington
26. Comrade Obrian Iro — Ohafia North
27. Chidi U. Igwe — Ohafia South
28. Edward C. Ferdinand — Osisioma North
29. Standhope Akoma — Osisioma South
30. Prince Victor Alozie — Ugwunagbo
31. Ekeke Chiarizolam — Ukwa East
32. Chinedu Obilor — Umuahia Central
33. Chinyere Victor Okoronkwo
34. Nwakudo Kelechi — Umuahia East
35. Uchechukwu D. Udeji — Umuahia North
36. Bar. Maduakolam Oleka — Umuahia South
37. Hon. Eze Chikamnayo — Umunneochi
The party leadership called on members, supporters and the various support groups to remain united and intensify mobilization across the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
