Ugochukwu Optimistic Of Governing Abia

The Abia Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the April 2007 governorship election, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu, says he is still optimistic of governing the state.

“I am sure that I will laugh last after the protracted legal battle to become the governor of Abia State,” Ugochukwu said on Sunday, when the state’s executive of the PDP visited him in Umuahia.

He told members of the state’s executive of the party led by its chairman, Chief Ndidi Okereke, that he was determined to carry the struggle to enthrone good governance in Abia to its logical conclusion.

“I believe that God of Justice will give me victory,’’ he said, noting that he won at the lower tribunal but that the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt upheld the election of Chief Theodore Orji of the PPA as governor.

Ugochukwu, who went back to the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, is praying the court to upturn the verdict of the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt.

He commended the state’s party executive for embarking on the sensitisation tour to all local government chapters of the PDP.

Ugochukwu stressed that the tour would rekindle the consciousness of party members and prepare them for the 2011 general elections.

On whether he would run for the governorship next year, he said: “it is early to discuss that.

“I am still in court, although I am optimistic of winning the case in court, but even if that does not go in my favour, I do not intend to retire from politics”.

Ugochukwu also called on members with political ambition to declare same and contest for various offices.

He expressed delight over the steadfastness of members despite the PDP being in opposition in the state and urged them not to relent because the ruling party was not better than the PDP.

Ealier, the Abia PDP Chairman, Chief Ndidi Okereke, said the visit to the party leader was part of the party’s sensitisation tour of Umuahia North.

Okereke said the tour was being used to explain to party faithful the need and modalities for the party’s membership revalidation exercise.

He pledged the party’s support for the struggle to reclaim the governorship mandate.