I Want To Be Held Accountable Through This Document, PDP’s Akobundu To Abia Central
… As he unveils Manifesto
By Charity Uwakwe
As the 2023 general election crawls in, the Candidate of PDP for Abia Central Senatorial Election, Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd.) has urged the people of Abia Central to endeavour to hold him accountable if he derails from any aspect of his campaign promises as stipulated of in his Manifesto.
Akobundu who reiterated that he was not under any compulsion to draft his manifesto, pledged to religiously act adherently to the dictates of his conscience as laid to in his manifesto so as to implement same.
Speaking during the official unveiling of his campaign Manifesto titled ‘the Col Akobundu People-First Agenda’, Akobundu pointed out that the document would serve “as a direct statement, vision, aspiration, desire and collective hope of my dear people in Abia Central Senatorial District.”
“In putting together my manifesto, we received inputs from professionals in various fields, community leaders, the traditional institution, youth groups, student bodies, faith-based organizations, women groups’ artisans, transporters, traders and all other stakeholders in a shared commitment towards the collective good of Ndi Abia central senatorial district.”
According to the former Minister, his campaign is centered on citizens’ empowerment, human capital and infrastructural development which shall drive stronger production of goods and services, through effective legislation and oversight.
His address read in part:
“It is with great sense of duty and commitment to the people of Abia Central Senatorial District that I address you today on the occasion of the unveiling of my campaign Manifesto titled “the Col Akobundu People-First Agenda”.
“As the title connotes, the Akobundu People-First Agenda Document derives its strength, from the wishes, aspiration and manifest Will of the people of Abia Central Senatorial District in their desire for quality representation at the National Assembly.
Akobundo who promised not to take for granted the call to serve the people, described his emergence as the party’s Flagbearer in the long awaited February 25 election, as a “Divine call in my life-long commitment towards the wellbeing of our people which is motivated by a strong demand on me from an overwhelming majority of our people whom I seek to represent at the Senate.
Speaking further, he, said: “I am abundantly aware that my candidature on the platform of our great Party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) embodies the wider hope and aspiration of the people of Abia Central. It is a collective pursuit by the people for quality representation irrespective of age, sectional, political differences and religious sentiments.
“Upon the call by my people, I undertook a very extensive consultation with critical stakeholders and compatriots across the 62 Wards in the six Local Government Areas of Abia Central Senatorial District. I reached-out to members of our great Party as well as non-politically aligned individuals’ and groups to chart a direction for the good of our people ahead of the primary elections of our Party.
“My campaign is centered on citizens’ empowerment, human capital and infrastructure development which shall drive stronger production of goods and services through effective legislation and oversight.
“In putting together my manifesto, we received inputs from professionals in various fields, community leaders, the traditional institution, youth groups, student bodies, faith-based organizations, women groups’ artisans, transporters, traders and all other stakeholders in a shared commitment towards the collective good of Ndi Abia central senatorial district.
The Col Akobundu People-First Agenda Document which is being unveiled today should serve as a direct statement, vision, aspiration,
desire and collective hope of my dear people in Abia Central Senatorial District.
“This explains why my candidature is a peoples’ oriented project which I believe they have resolved to actualize through me on February 25, 2023.”
“It is, therefore, my honor to present to you the people’s manifesto, the Col Akobundu People-First Agenda. By the Divine Grace of God, I commit to ensure the wellbeing, prosperity and happiness of the people of Abia Central by hitting the ground running upon election into the Senate.”
Earlier, the Director-General of Austin Akonundu Campaign Organization, Pst. Emeka Enyama, in his introductory remark, discribed the gathering as unusual in the history.of the state, which according to him, is strictly aimed at marketing the candidature of Akobundu.
Likening the party to a tree, Enyama said: “PDP is alive; dominant in Abia state. It will take you a lot a lot of efforts to dislodge a tree deeply rooted in the soil. PDP is a tree planted by the river side and can never go dry. We’re kick- -starting this campaign in a way different from the usual.
Also, Hon. Eze Chikamnayo, the Commissioner for Information described Akobundu as a man known for excellence, who would be a strong voice in the National Assembly.
“Col. Akobundu is a man of effective performance and a silent achiever. He will be a strong voice in the National Assembly. He is the type of man we need in the Nigerian polity; a man who will be an advocate for the people and we believe that his emergence will be beneficial to the people of Abia Central and the State in general.”
Hon. (Barr.) David Uwazurisike, member representing Umuahia South State Constituency who spoke with an aura of confidence, restated their unalloyed support for Akobundu.
“Col. has all it takes to fit into the shoes of the incumbent Senator, Chief T.A. Orji This is the time for the people of PAP to support and reciprocate your good deeds because he that watereth shall be watered.
” I want to assure you that we’ll give you all the support by giving you all our votes. I wish you well and you shall be announced the Senator on Febouray 26″.
Meanwhile, among dignitaries present at the event are the Member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi, Barr. Chris Ezem, the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Traditional Rulers, the candidate for Umuahia Central Constituency, Pastor Ugochukwu Uchegbu, Hon. Kelechi Nwakodo, Candidate for Umuahia North State Constituency, High Chief Emenike, the Onuoha, President-general of Umuopara clan, among others.
