….vows to abolish security vote, respect LG financial autonomy
By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA – Former Commissioner for Housing, Abia State, Elder James Okpara, has formally declared for the 2027 governorship race under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Unveiling his blueprint in Umuahia, Okpara who also served as Commissioners for Legal Matters under ex-Governor Theodore Orji, promised to create 25,000 jobs annually, a move he said would stimulate economic activities, boost household income and drastically reduce poverty across the state.

He further promised 10,000 affordable housing units in two years, aggressive economic reforms, free education, improved security and an end to wasteful governance if elected governor in 2027.

He said that if given the opportunity, Abia under his watch, would be driven by “human infrastructure and development,” pledging to restore public confidence in governance through transparency, accountability and social welfare policies.

He declared that his administration would abolish “security votes,” insisting that such expenditure has no constitutional backing.

Okpara also pledged full financial autonomy for local governments and promised not to tamper with council allocations.

He assured that the judiciary and legislature would enjoy full independence under his administration, while promising a government anchored on justice, fairness and the rule of law.

The PDP chieftain vowed to increase workers’ salaries and improve their conditions of service without subjecting citizens and businesses to what he described as “excess taxation.”

He assured civil servants of job security and pledged prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

Decrying accommodation deficit in the state he said:”we will construct at least 10,000 affordable and eco-friendly homes within our first two years in office.”

According to him, the housing estates would come with modern infrastructure including tarred roads, potable water, steady electricity, schools, shopping malls and recreational facilities.

On infrastructure, the governorship hopeful pledged massive road construction and rehabilitation across the state, with special attention to rural roads linking farming communities to urban markets.

He promised that roads built under his administration would be durable and delivered at competitive costs, declaring that Abia would record one of the cheapest per-kilometre road construction costs in Nigeria.

The former Commissioner acknowledged that the incumbent Gov. Alex Otti had made significant imprints in some sectors but said he would do better if given the opportunity considering the enormity of resources accruing to the state.

Okpara promised to revive pipe-borne water supply across the state, lamenting what he described as the collapse of public water infrastructure in Abia.

“Water is a fundamental human right and government must provide it for the people,” he declared.

He pledged to place teachers on a special salary scale and sponsor regular retraining programmes to raise educational standards.

Okpara promised to build and equip hospitals capable of delivering quality and affordable healthcare services comparable to global standards.

He said pregnant women, children, senior citizens and pensioners would enjoy free medical care under his administration.

On security, Okpara vowed to strengthen the state’s security architecture by equipping law enforcement agencies and recruiting at least 3,000 additional operatives into the Abia State Vigilante Service.

“We will make Abians sleep with both eyes closed,” he assured.

The former commissioner equally promised to reposition agriculture by dedicating 10 per cent of the state budget to food production and mechanized farming.

He said local farmers would benefit from free fertilizers, improved seedlings and subsidized tractors and other farming equipment to boost food sufficiency and rural prosperity.

In the economic sector, Okpara pledged to reduce the cost of doing business in Abia through tax cuts, rebates and incentives for investors.

He further vowed to prioritize indigenous contractors and businesses in the execution of government projects as part of measures to retain wealth within the state economy.

He further listed the proposed Abia Airport and Seaport among key legacy projects his administration would pursue to unlock the state’s economic potential.

“Our government will work for all. No one will be above the law, and every kobo belonging to Abians will be used for the benefit of Abians,” he declared.

Okpara who pledged loyalty to the Kabiru Turaki -led interim national working committee of the PDP, said the crisis that hit the party was orchestrated by external forces to weaken the PDP ahead of 2027, but said the party’s dark days were over.

According to him true members of the PDP are still intact, boasting that PDP still has large followership across the country.

End