The Build A New Abia (BANA) has adopted the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia State, High Chief Ikechi Emenike for the Saturday, March 18 poll.
This was just as the Northern Community in the state and the ADC House of Representatives candidate for Ikwuano/ Umuahia federal constituency, Paul Nmereghini and his supporters also gave Emenike the nod.
BANA, the political structure of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 2023 rival governorship candidate, Sir Chikwe Udensi announced this after it organized a forum for the 18 governorship candidates in the state in Aba.
In his opening remarks, Chikwe, who is the president of the over 185,000-member structure, said the forum was organized to make the members make informed choices of candidates to support for the election.
He said that BANA was deeply worried about the level of decadence in the state since the return of democracy in the country in 1999 and wanted to be part of the clamour for change of leadership.
In their respective speeches, the candidates assured that if elected they would deliver on their electoral promises which centred on job creation, infrastructure development, and reviving the economy.
The candidates include Emenike, Okey Ahiwe of the PDP, represented by Hon Uzor Azubuike, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of ADC, and Hon Chibuike Jonas of ADP.
Addressing Nmereghini and his supporters, and the representatives of the Northern Community in Umuahia, Emenike reiterated his commitment to rescue and develop the state.
He said: “The challenge of developing the state is a collective responsibility”, adding that they should see their contributions to realize the dream as part of their sacrifice.
Emenike expressed worry that despite the Peoples Democratic Party’s 24 years mismanagement of the state, it still wants to retain power and appealed to the people of the state to resist the move.
Earlier, Nmereghini said he and his supporters took the decision after a thorough analysis of the governorship candidates, adding they had already mobilized for the poll.
Leaders of the Northern Community which include Salisu Idris, the coordinator, Husseini Mohammed, Aliyu Husseini, Umar Sarkin, and Saidu Ahmed assured of their commitment to ensure victory for Emenike.
