A former speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, has declared his interest to contest for the governorship of Abia State in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Azubuike, followed by intimidating crowd of supporters, declared his interest at the Azikiwe road secretariat of the party in Umuahia, saying that he would stay in office for only one term of four years, assuring that he would have laid the foundation for sustainable development of the state within the period.

The lawmaker, who said he is on a rescue mission, told party leaders and support groups that if given the mandate to fly his party’s flag, he would restore the state to its rightful place as an enviable commercial and industrial destination.

“We believe that this will serve as the veritable foundation upon which much other development initiatives will thrive, hence, the mantra, the restoration agenda,” he said.

According to him, his administration would focus on eight cardinal sectors of Abia economy, namely, Agriculture, commercial and industrial development; education, quality and affordable health care, civil and public service reform, youth and women development, infrastructural development and judicial and justice sector reform.

“With the above foundation in place, coupled with the enablers such as peace and security, social justice and democratic freedom, we believe that Abia will then be placed on sustainable path to economic growth and development, “he said.

He expressed optimism that this will provide the leverage for developing other sectors, adding that he would run an accountability based government as well as carry Abians along.

It is on the above that I seek the nomination of our great party, APC, to run for the office of the governor of Abia State in 2019 general elections for a term of four years “he said adding that the period would afford him “the opportunity to redeem the image of the Ukwa/Ngwa people who have been derided by the abysmal performance of the incumbent government.”

Responding, Abia APC chairman, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, promised that the party would provide a level playing field for all aspirants, stressing that only members of the party would elect the governorship flag bearer through fair and credible primaries.

Nwankpa said that the party’s ticket was not for sale but would be given to a candidate that would be given to a candidate that would eventually emerge victorious in the state-wide governorship contest.

Colleagues of Rt. Hon. Azubuike in the House of Assembly, including the Minority Leader, Chibuzor Okogbuo (Bende South) and Ikedi Ezekwesiri (Umunneochi) said the aspirant has all the qualities of a good leader and would give Abia the kind of leadership never witnessed in the state.