Abia state born entertainment icon and philanthropist, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, aka Don Lulu today Tuesday 10th May 2022, before a mammoth crowd of supporters and party faithful formally declared his interest to contest for the Abia governorship election come 2023 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
The declaration which took place at the PDP state secretariat Umuahia, was witnessed by the members of the state working committee of the party, and chieftains of the PDP across the various Local Government Areas of the state.
In his declaration speech which received thunderous applause from the appreciative audience, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, said that if given the opportunity to serve as governor he would reposition Abia State and return it back to economic prosperity by creating the enabling environment for industrial growth.
He also promised to reduce the over dependence on federation allocations through creative approach to enhanced Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, this is just as he disclosed that he would make Abia the Information Communication Technology, ICT, hub in Africa.
The 40-year old aspirant said his decision to run for the governorship was borne out of his “hunger and desire to add value and impetus against the backdrop of the yearnings of the entire people of Abia state, who believe in the youths as an option and to take Abia to the much desired place occasioned by their cries and wishes for good governance, inclusiveness and ensuring that Abia takes its rightful place in the comity of States.”
Said he, “I decided to run following calls from stakeholders, including the downtrodden, traditional rulers and eminent sons and daughters of Abia State, and to take up the gauntlet, to stand in the gap to shield our people from any form of hopelessness.
“Having seen the roles and contributions of our past leaders, there’s no gain saying that they have done their best, but I’m here to reinvigorate our spirits, minds and souls to the much-vaunted dreams of our people for a better life.
“I have watched a common denominator in believing in the youths as it is said, that a state that carries along her youths prepares them for a better future.
“Without the efforts of the past leadership, however, it has become necessary that I bridge the gap, to restore stability, and rebuild the confidence of our youths and the good people of our state.
“To that extent, I have joined in this race with my full chest, to say I appreciate other people who as well aspire for the same position, but however, I pledge that I offer a better option, to galvanize the young people, the men and women of Abia State, to instill a sense of belonging in our administration, which will bring hope and pride to our people.”
Igbokwe who said he was prepared to re-invent Abia, appealed to PDP to give him its ticket in 2023.
“I possess the requisite skills and experience required to harness the vast resources in the state for productive and developmental purposes.
“My team and I are ready to turn around the fortunes of the state by revolutionising all the sectors of governance with focus on the masses.
“If given the PDP ticket and elected governor, I will reposition Abia for economic prosperity by creating the enabling environment for industry to thrive, with a better approach to internally generated revenue that would reduce dependence on federation allocations.”
He promised to prioritize education and make it free from primary to secondary level.
“Education will be one of the major objectives of my aspiration, the sector will be reformed to include not only building of schools, but also the provision of incentives to teachers.
We’ll revisit the farm settlements, improve and empower the youth in particular and our people in general, through agriculture, the creative industries will receive massive boost under our watch. Tourism will be made more attractive and visitors will come to experience our beautiful cultural heritage and sites.
We’ll escalate the commercial viability of our markets to unprecedented new levels with improved infrastructure and security.
“Abia will become the ICT hub in West Africa during our tenure.
We shall enhance the road networks and improve transportation.
“We are very committed with passion to make sure that Abia occupies its rightful position in the comity of states in the country.”
Igbokwe also promised to replicate the heroic achievements of the late Dr Michael Okpara especially in agriculture.
“We are determined to replicate in Abia state the record of achievements of our hero, late premier, Dr M.I Okpara in the defunct South Eastern region of Nigeria.
“We plan to explore all the areas of possible economic prosperity and development without exploiting the people.
“God’s own State, Abia, is blessed with abundant natural and human resources.
“We will have a council of eminent personalities drawn from all strata of the society to help oversee our policies and all sectors of our economy.
