2023: Reclaiming Abia Paramount, Ex-Finance Commissioner Oriaku Says

The immediate past Commissioner for Finance in Abia state, Mr. Obinna Oriaku has said the next general election in 2023 presents the people of the state opportunity to reclaim the state and put it on the path of development.

He added that he joined the APC on the ground of his conviction that he can join forces with people of like-minds to restore the dignity of the state, adding that Abians across the country don’t feel a sense of pride identifying with their state.

He spoke with ABN TV at the weekend in Igbere, Bende local government shortly after being received by the leader of the party in the state, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu.

According to Oriaku, 29 years after the States’ creation, the template of governance has not changed in Abia State, insisting that the cost of governance is high.

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While maintaining that it’s not particularly about the current administration where he served in the first term as Commissioner for Finance, Oriaku said Abia is lagging behind developmentally when placed at par with other states.

He gave the current administration credit for the number of roads constructed especially in first tenure and achievements recorded in Agriculture as well as the schools remodelled and efforts in building the made in Aba brand.

The former Commissioner attributed it the crop of Commissioners that made up the administration at that moment, saying it was part of the grand efforts of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the late Chief of Staff, Chijioke Nwakodo for a paradigm shift by reducing cost of governance then which led to the reduction of exco allowance and overhead cost including automation of salary payment processes.

He described then Commissioners sacrificial in their services

He insisted that PDP government as currently constituted lacks capacity to return Abia on the path of development, expressing optimism that come 2023, Abians will be ushered into a new government and political party that will foster development.