Orji Explains Second Term Bid

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has formally declared his intention to contest the 2011 governorship election in the state, saying he was better  experienced now to serve the people.

Declaring his intention at the Okpara Auditorium last week, Orji described himself as “new chassis” while he said other aspirants were “tokunbos.”

He told the people that the story of his first term was the story of an “innocent man who joined the wrong gang,” an allusion to his association with his estranged party, the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) where he said he was in bondage and those he accused of creating the situation wanted to perpetually incapacitate him by putting several impediments on his way.

“My government was left to fight the bondage and insecurity in a vicious cycle,” Orji said, noting that he fought and liberated the “potentially promising state” from the clutches of those who wished to turn the state to a family estate. “We are ready to do good,” he assured, if given the mandate to run the state again.

“I have seen it all. I am dedicated to serve you better. Use me as the new face of Abia renaissance,” he said, adding that he would lay a solid foundation for sustainable socio-economic development of the state in his second term by moving away from the “ad hoc plans of the past.”

 He promised to pay attention to all facets of the economy so as to create employment opportunities and economic boom.

 While soliciting the support of the people, Orji said “it is my privilege and honour to come to you to declare my intention to contest for a second term in office. I want to run on the PDP platform.”

 The governor told the people that the best thing that has happened to Abia was his joining the PDP, adding that President Jonathan his been a good ally of the state. 

Earlier, the Director-General of the Ochendo Campaign Organisation, Chief Tony Ukasanya, had enumerated the achievements of Governor Orji, stressing that he would consolidate if given another opportunity.

 Ukasanya reiterated that the governor’s declaration was a matter of due process, saying, “he will return to the Government House”  ”to heal the injured psyche of Abia.”