As the 2023 General elections draw close, a non-partisan group, the Abia League of Professionals Initiatives (ALPI) is set to engage all candidates vying for a political position in an interactive session which will hold today, Wednesday, January 25 and tomorrow January 26.
This was contained in a letter signed by the Founder and Director-General of ALPI, Chief Sonny Iroche, addressed to all the political office seekers in Abia state and made available to The New Diplomat.
The interactive session which will hold at the Unique Life Hotel, Umuahia, the Abia state capital will afford the political office seekers in the state to tell the citizens of their intentions, manifestoes, how they would discharge their responsibilities and why Ndiabia, should give them their mandate, either as their next Governor or in a representative capacity in the National and State Assemblies.
The interactive session will kick-off with the governorship candidates in the state, as Dr Alex Otti of the Labour Party; Prof. Ikonne of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Mr Ikechi Emenike of the All Progressive Congress (APC), among others are expected to grace the occasion.
Also, some of the candidates to be screened, for Senate include Hon Sam Onuigbo, Sir Chuku Wachuku, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Gov Okezie Ikpeazu who is going to lock horns with Senator Abaribe for the seat of Abia South Senatorial zone.
Leading the group of panelist for the interactive session is the Founder and Director-General of ALPI, Chief Sonny Iroche.
Also to be part of the panelists are the Board of Trustees of the group is which chaired by General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, and the Vice Chairman is Sir Ogala Osoka, other members of the Board of Trustees include, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Ambassador Lady Wadibia-Anyanwu, Ms. Udochi Iheanacho, Sir Uche Amajor, Paul Ananaba (SAN), and Sir Steve Nwadiuko.
The letter reads, “May I, on behalf of the Abia League of Professionals Initiative (ALPI), start by congratulating Your Excellencies & Your Honours, for successfully securing your parties mandates during the primaries of your various parties, to fly your parties flags in the forthcoming elections for the governorship of Abia State (God’s own state), and the State and National Assemblies.
“ALPI is a duly incorporated non- partisan professional association, with the aims and objectives, amongst other things, of ensuring good governance by holding political and public office holders accountable to their sworn oath of office to the good people of Abia state.
“The fact that we are registered as non- partisan, does not absolve us from interrogating politicians and to act at all times, in the overall interest of the millions of Ndiabia, who have over 20 years, been victims and subjected to misrule, ineptitude, corruption and the rudderless running of the affairs of the state, since the 4th Republic democratization in 1999.
“We have observed with dismay, the laggard position of our state on all indices of economic and socio- political development.
We have invited you all today and appreciate your honouring our invitation to interact and parlay with key members of ALPI.
“Our intention is not to dwell too much on the past, as posterity has a way of catching up with our misdeeds. But we are here to hear from you all and for you individually to articulate your programs, intentions and manifestos, on how you would discharge your responsibilities and why Ndiabia, should give you their mandate, either as their next Governor or in a representative capacity in the National and State Assemblies.
“Let us also inform you that we do not intend for this exercise to be a one-off pre�elections interaction, that ends if and when you’re elected. But that ALPI would be an ever present monitoring institution in the affairs of the government of Abia State,
solely to ensure good governance and that the welfare of citizens are at the core of
government business. As we had embarked on the sensitization and mobilization of the electorate to vote for credible and purposeful candidates, we shall not relent, and must continue to enlighten them on their citizens rights.
“There is no gain saying that Abians have been subjected to excruciating poverty,
non or delayed payment of salaries and pensions of workers, insecurity, debt
overhangs, dis-accreditation of two of its major tertiary institutions, broken
infrastructure, degradation and lack of development in every LGA, Senatorial zones and overall underemployment of the entire state.
“The ALPI panelists, who are professionals in various fields, shall during your
interaction and questions and answers sessions, engage you further on what the
main campaign issues and running an accountable government are.
“There is no doubt that the tasks before you, as governor or law makers are
enormous and cannot be business as usual. We shall call for financial prudence,
decency in government, reduction in the size of government, particularly, prune
down the number of Special Advisers and Assistants.
“In light of the dire financial situation that the state and the country find themselves,
we expect you to make some financial concessions in areas of salaries and
allowances.
“It is clear that we cannot continue to run Abia State, and indeed Nigeria, in the way,
they have been run, particularly in the last eight (8) years. We want you to keep in mind that ALPI shall be a watchdog for any malfeasance in government and would not hold back to give kudos to government, whenever, it records positive feats.
“Finally, we urge you all to conduct your electioneering campaigns within the
provisions of the Electoral Act. And ensure that your supporters eschew all forms of
violence or electoral malpractices.
We wish you the very best of luck.”
LONG LIVE ALPI
LONG LIVE ABIA STATE
LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
SONNY IROCHE
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR-GENERAL
ABIA LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONALS INITIATIVE
