By Ugochukwu Alaribe
Umuahia — The Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Dr Godswill Agu Egbe, has said the party has studied Governor Alex Otti’s administration and identified areas it believes require improvement.
Egbe, who spoke shortly after his unveiling at the APC secretariat in Umuahia, said the party would offer what he described as a better alternative if elected in the 2027 governorship election.
He acknowledged that work was ongoing in the state but maintained that, in the APC’s assessment, Abia residents deserved more from the government.
“We have studied governance in Abia. From measurement, evaluation and learning, we are able to understand where things must be optimised and where work needs to be improved to deliver greater value to the people,” he said.
“Work is being done, nobody is taking that away. But when you take a close evaluation, you will see areas where Abians deserve more. And that more is what we are bringing.”
Egbe said the APC ticket was prepared to adopt what he described as better approaches to governance, expressing confidence that Abians would support the party in 2027.
“The prayer of every Abian is that whoever comes after should do better. We have studied better ways to do things and we are presenting that superior alternative to Abians. That is why we are confident Abians will support us to win the election,” he said.
Political background
Speaking on his political background, Egbe said his involvement in politics began early, adding that he had served as President-General of his community and supported political movements including the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
He said former President Muhammadu Buhari’s political career influenced his decision to join the ANPP and later the CPC.
Egbe also recalled his admiration for the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and said the emergence of Buhari and President Bola Tinubu in the APC strengthened his attachment to the party.
“When I saw Buhari and Bola Tinubu come to APC, it was like a dream come true. The two persons that I love in politics came together. So APC became a place I’m very passionate about,” he said.
‘I share vision with Opah’
On his relationship with the APC governorship candidate, Chief Eric Opah, Egbe said they shared a common vision for the state.
He said he had studied the party’s manifesto and found that its priorities aligned with his own development objectives.
“I believe I have a shared vision with him. I have gone through the manifesto, it aligns with all the things that I wish to do. So I’m going to subordinate to that manifesto, to work with my principal, to support him in all dimensions,” Egbe said.
Asked whether Abia could have a cement factory, given his previous place of work, Egbe said such a decision would be based on the party’s manifesto and the prevailing economic realities of the state.
“I wouldn’t say yes outright because I am the deputy candidate and our manifesto has to be studied properly. We have our plans and things we want to focus on, those that align with current realities and deliver that more that Abia deserves,” he said.
Egbe, however, said his personal economic philosophy was centred on improving household livelihoods as a foundation for industrialisation.
“You need to build households first. When households improve their livelihood, they will contribute to the aggregate growth of the state. And when that happens, that’s when you can see organic growth of industries,” he said.
According to him, creating opportunities for households to improve their livelihoods would stimulate economic growth and ultimately support industrialisation in the state.
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