BY ANAYO OKOLI

UMUAHIA — Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has warned elected political office holders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state that there would be no automatic ticket for them.
Governor Orji said all elected positions would be open for contest and that a level playing ground would be provided to all interested persons.

According to him, by allowing every interested person to participate in the contest, the best candidates will emerge for the good of the state.
Addressing an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of PDP in Umuahia, Governor Orji said allowing the present elected members at all levelS to return without competition would “give room for mediocrity in the system.”

According to him, fair competition is the best way to bring out the best in any society.
He noted that appointing or selecting candidates for elective positions hampered growth of true democracy.
Governor Orji also warned party members not to allow money to sway their choice, but allow their conscience to guide them at all times.

He said with the achievement of PDP in the state, no other political party would take over the governorship of the state.
“There is no vacancy for any other political party except the PDP in the state, as there is no room for any other political party to survive in Abia State because we have set a very high standard which will be difficult for any other political party to beat

“Since we stopped worshipping idols in the state, things have been moving on fine for the state and its people, after being in darkness for some years which made God to turn his back on the state and its people, but now we are free and doing very well,” Governor Orji said.

Claiming that Abia State was close to President Jonathan, Orji said “whenever Mr. President sees me, he will ask me, ‘how are my people’ and not, ‘how is Abia State?’ This shows the level of love and the value the Presidency has for the state.”

State chairman of the party, Chief Emma Nwaka, preached against possible decampment of members to opposition parties and urged them to be steadfast.
He said someone in a ruling party would not understand what it meant to be in opposition.
“Therefore, those of you in the ruling party should hold tenaciously to what you have, as being in opposition will not be to your benefit,” Nwaka said.