Gov. Orji of Abia eyes Senate

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia declared yesterday, his intention to run for the Senate in the 2015 general elections.

Orji made the declaration at a civic reception jointly organised in his honour by the people of Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South LGAs.

He said that his decision was due to pressures from his people urging him to run for the Senate and that he had no choice other than to accept their request.

'For some time now, there has been so much pressure coming from different groups, communities, individuals and organisations that I should run for the Senate.

''Since this is coming from my people, I have no choice than to accept the demand'', he said.

He thanked the people for having faith in him, saying that they could not have requested him to go and represent them at the senate if they did not believe in him.

The governor also urged the people to continue to support his administration, the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

He described PDP as 'the only party in Nigeria today with a national outlook'', and the only party that could give Ndigbo (Igbo people) a voice in the country.

Orji said that the developmental stride of his administration was in line with the transformation agenda of Jonathan's administration.

He listed the achievements of his administration to include the construction of Abia State Diagnostic/Specialist Hospitals in Umuahia and Aba, over 250 healthcare centres and two state secretariats.

Others are an international conference centre and a new Government House (under construction).

Earlier, Chairman of the organising committee, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, said the reception was organised to honour and celebrate the governor.

Ogbonnaya noted that Umuahia, the state capital, had not witnessed significant physical development since the creation of the state in 1991 until the present administration.

'The infrastructure development that has so far taken place within the second tenure of the governor is unparalleled'', Ogbonnaya said.

He, therefore urged Orji to run for the Abia Central senatorial seat in the National Assembly, saying that  people had adopted him as their sole candidate for the Senate in 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor, who hails from Umuahia, would serve out his second tenure in 2015.

Seven local government areas namely: Ikwuano, Umuahia North and South as well as Osisioma,  Isialangwa North and South LGAs make up Abia central senatorial district.

The governor was conferred with the traditional title of Omeudo-gburugburu (Ambassador of Peace) by traditional rulers from Ikwuano and Umuahia, comprising nine clans.

The reception was attended by eminent sons and daughters of the state as well as prominent politicians, including some members of the state and National Assemblies and top government functionaries. (NAN)