Ukpai Iro Ukpai, has been declared the winner of Abia State New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Governorship primary election held at Abia State secretariat of the party in Umuahia.
Dr. Ukpai from Ohafia (Abia North zone) had over the period been rumoured to be the sole Aspirant for the executive position.
Dr Ukpai polled 552 votes to return unopposed, through a voice vote by the 3 man delegates of the party representing the 184 wards of 17 local government of the state.
The election was peaceful and rancor free in the presence of INEC officials, DSS and other security agencies, with the supervision of the state working Committee (SWC) led by the state Chairman, Hon Victor Ogaranya
The electoral committee lead by Chris Akomas who was the returning officer, after declaring Ukpai as the winner of the primary election, announced him as the flag bearer of the NNPP in Abia State for the 2023 general elections.
Recall THE WHISPERER had reported that Dr Ukpai Iro Ukpai, picked his nomination and expression of interest forms on the 20th of May, at the National Secretariat of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Abuja.
Addressing members of the National Working Committee after obtaining the forms, Ukpai thanked the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali flanked by the National Secretary (Chief Dipo Olayoku); the National Deputy Treasurer (Hon Chibuisi Mba); and the South East Zonal Chairman (Prince Nwaeze Onu) for welcoming him and his team and for his strategic role in the nation’s democracy space. He appreciated the towering national role of the National Leader Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (founder of The National Movement and the Kwankwasiya Movement) and BOT Chairman (Dr Boniface Aniebonam) for his founding and great leadership role in the party.
He said, “I am a very careful person. I went to the state level to study the party NNPP and started interacting with the party at the state level. I’ve been working with them to study how the party is setup.
“My coming to NNPP is a very important decision of my life; I want to be part of this movement. When I found out that APC would not be the party to help me provide to Abians my plans for them, I searched out and found NNPP, the fastest growing national party in Nigeria, the most potent third force party in Nigeria. NNPP is the party for Ndi Abia!
Abia State is broken, due to bad governance, and we’re ready to reset it and prepare it for 21st century governance. We shall unleash the potential of our people.
We shall grow Abia’s revenue, reduce our debt burden, make Abia State the production and manufacturing hub of Africa. We shall insist on zero corruption.
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Dr Ukpai assured the NWC and Abians that a new freshness will envelope Abia State as NNPP takes charge of Abia governance come May 29, 2023, promising to promote extensive development of sustainable infrastructure in Abia State, leveraging on Technology which underpin his 3 point agenda.
Ukpai appreciated the leadership of NNPP in Abia State for their unwavering support so far.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Prof Rufai Alkali commended Dr. Ukpai Iro Ukpai for his tenacity and courage to rescue Abia state. He commended members of the party from the region, hailing them as “heroes of democracy”.
He said, “You have to have a strong heart, vision or commitment to be governor. I commend your courage. Nobody should take you for granted.
“For you to come with these people, it means you’re at home with your people. Nigeria belongs to all. NNPP believes all should be treated equally. We are ready to accommodate and reconcile all,” he said.
Dr Ukpai was accompanied to the Secretariat by some chieftains of the party including Hon. Kelechi Apugo, Hon. Jonah Mba, Hon. Orji Awa Kalu, Arch. Nwokeocha Chinedu Okechukwu (Ikwuano- Umuahia Federal constituency Aspirant under NNPP); Hon. Kenneth Madugba (Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal constituency Aspirant under NNPP); and other party stakeholders.
