Hon. Barr. James C. Kwubiri Okpara has officially declared his intention to contest the governorship election in Abia State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), unveiling what he described as a “Government with a Human Face” focused on human infrastructure and citizen-friendly governance.
In his declaration issued on May 18, 2026, Barr. Okpara outlined a broad policy framework aimed at improving workers’ welfare, infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, agriculture, security, and economic development across the state.
The governorship hopeful promised to increase workers’ salaries and improve conditions of service without introducing excessive taxation. He also pledged regular payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities, while assuring civil servants of job security.
According to him, his administration would create at least 25,000 jobs annually to tackle unemployment and reduce poverty in the state.
On housing, Okpara promised to address the accommodation deficit in the state through the construction of 10,000 affordable and eco-friendly housing units within the first two years of his administration. He stated that the proposed estates would feature modern infrastructure including roads, potable water, electricity, schools, recreational facilities, shopping malls, and adequate security.
Speaking on water supply, the PDP governorship aspirant lamented the absence of public pipe-borne water in many parts of the state, describing access to clean water as a fundamental human right. He pledged to restore regular and hygienic water supply across Abia.
In the area of healthcare, Okpara promised free medical services for pregnant women, children, pensioners, and the elderly, while pledging to equip hospitals and health centres to standards comparable with developed nations.
On education, he proposed free education from primary to secondary school level, renovation of dilapidated schools, employment of more teachers, scholarships for students, and special salary structures for teachers. He also promised continuous training and retraining programmes for educators.
Addressing security, Barr. Okpara disclosed plans to recruit at least 3,000 additional operatives into the Abia State Vigilante Service, popularly known as Bakassi Boys, to strengthen efforts against crime and criminality across the state.
In the agricultural sector, he pledged to devote 10 percent of the state’s annual budget to agriculture, while supporting farmers with free fertilizers, improved seedlings, and subsidized mechanized farming equipment.
The governorship aspirant also promised massive road construction and rehabilitation projects, particularly rural roads linking farming communities to markets, while proposing a cheap mass transit system across the state.
On electricity, Okpara described power supply as the “lifeblood of any state,” pledging to make electricity affordable and accessible to residents throughout the year.
He further vowed to abolish the controversial security vote system, insisting that it has no constitutional backing.
Barr. Okpara also pledged to respect the independence of the judiciary and legislature, as well as uphold the financial autonomy of local government councils in the state.
On economic development, he promised to create an enabling environment for businesses through tax reductions, rebates, and incentives, while prioritizing indigenous contractors and companies in the execution of government projects.
He added that his administration would block financial leakages, reduce the cost of governance, and ensure prudent management of public resources.
The PDP governorship hopeful further promised to pursue major infrastructure projects including the realization of an airport and seaport in Abia State.
Barr. Okpara stated that integrity, accountability, fairness, justice, equity, and development would form the pillars of his administration if elected.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP leadership under the Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the Interim National Working Committee led by Turaki SAN..
