2015: Gov. T.A Orji Declares For Senate

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia has declared 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)