Chief John Okiyi-Kalu is one of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants in the 2027 governorship election in Abia State. He is a well-recognised political leader in Abia who has served as a commissioner for trade and investment as well as a former commissioner for information. He is a PDP stalwart. In this interview he reveals how he plans to govern Abia State if eventually elected as the next governor of the state, using four major points he listed while speaking at a public function.
Chief, recently in a public function, you pinpointed four elements of creating prosperity if elected as a governor?
Yes, I said such, but what I intend to do as a governor is not limited to what you’re talking about, which I guess you want me to elaborate on. Firstly, let me start by telling you that Abia, just like other states in Nigeria, is still a work in progress. I have one belief, and that is that Abia has some of the best brains in Africa. I recall how Abia came first four consecutive times in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. I understand the need for the health care of my people, and I have a plan that states that every senatorial district must have at least two tertiary health institutions and telemetries. Look at our schools; the current government is deceiving themselves and not Abians with smart schools. However, we’ll come differently because most of our schools are not good to behold anymore. The first move I’ll make is to secure the schools by fencing them round, building accommodations for teachers, headmasters, and headmistresses to reside in their places of assignments in Abia State, and establishing permanent security to protect the facilities we’ll be putting in place. Smart School will be a joke compared to what we’re coming up with. 11 years ago, I witnessed a graduation ceremony of a primary school abroad, and I felt ashamed of myself. I told my wife that I want to put up something like that as a private person because I own Graceland Schools. However, I want to execute my plan in Abia State, and I believe we can do it if we end stealing. They often tell our people that government cannot create jobs but can create an enabling environment for private sectors to provide jobs, right? Listen, my people, the PDP brought the Enyimba Economic City Project that was maliciously terminated by the current government to create over 600,000 jobs. We’ll not only bring the Enyimba Economic City Project back, but we’ll also make Abia an investment heaven for the private sector.
Sir, I’m still waiting for those elements you spoke of, although I think I get you, but what can you do differently in road infrastructure in current Abia?
I’m coming to what you want to hear from me, but let me speak a little about this road infrastructure with past experiences I had and what I know I can add to make things better. You see, for many years our people were dying at Ogbor Hill waterside in Aba as a result of accidents caused mostly by articulated vehicles and, of course, the activities of traders plying their trade at the nearby cattle market and Ahia Udele. Administrations in the state knew that to save lives and ease traffic, we had to relocate the two markets and also construct an interchange (flyover) to improve traffic in that very busy area that links Aba and Abia State to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The second, more permanent solution would be to construct a flyover over the river, but the paucity of funds made that a distant alternative.
Shortly after I became Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Abia State, I folded my sleeves, summoned the required courage and, with the political will clearly demonstrated by then-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, went to work and relocated the two markets. People said it couldn’t be done, but we did it, and since then the frequency of accidents around that location has dropped drastically with traffic flow much more improved. So, one thing I have in quantum is the courage and willpower to do things right. A PDP government should naturally execute the next phase of the plan given that much more revenue now flows into the state. We do a flyover at Waterside. Similarly, Ugwu Enuda of Abiriba in Ohafia LGA has claimed many lives in that community that receives millions of visitors who visit for various reasons. The beautiful community itself experienced massive traffic challenges during festive seasons. The solution will be to do the Ugwu Enuda flyover and another flyover at Usumanu Amaogudu. For those who have travelled through Umuahia Tower during major festive seasons, there is no debate that an interchange is required there and, of course, at Ishi Gate in Umuahia too. Contrary to what many believe, the cost of doing these jobs is fair enough when a government removes corruption and graft. A state that is currently making revenue in excess of N60 BILLION every month can easily handle the 5 flyovers within 2 years. The new PDP government will do it because power belongs to people and not a cabal of propagandists seeking to loot a state silly while socially engineering them to clap for tokens. Now, to the four elements I want to use to drive prosperity in Abia, I spoke about good governance, economic growth and development, unity and inclusiveness and then security and safety. So, which one should I take first?
We can start from good governance. Let’s get full details of how you intend to drive prosperity with it?
Okay, let me make this clear: good governance is not seen through propaganda because people will eventually know the truth. Though it may take long to be unmasked except when exposed earlier, it must surely be exposed. Under us, good governance will be felt and seen and not just be narrated by a people far from our environment using pictures. Under us, the responsible, ethical, and effective management of public affairs and resources will not be a secret affair. We’ll put that framework that ensures that corruption is minimised. There shall be strong respect for human rights, with transparency sitting at the top and base of every service from government offices to the private sector. All citizens, especially vulnerable groups, shall have a voice, and their voices will be heard. There shall be thorough implementation of fair legal frameworks, and that will ensure that government institutions are held responsible under my watch so that everyone can sit up as we build a new state with civilised ideologies. FOIA will be domesticated without delay here, as our policies will provide accessible information and timely service. We shall ensure the common good of all. Under our watch, Nigerians and Abians, we see the upholding of human rights and improvement in the overall quality of life.
I want to know about how you intend to bring about economic growth and development for prosperity?
Nobody can spread prosperity in a state where there is economic stagnation and dwarfism. Our policies on industrialisation and huge supports for SMEs and startups will bring in a quantitative increase in Abia’s total production output and will equally ensure a qualitative process that encompasses broader improvements in living standards, social welfare, healthcare, and wealth distribution. We’ll not just focus on mere statements that are not felt or seen; we’ll ensure that the technological advancements that will come into the production of things we already have a comparative advantage over other parts of the country, the better infrastructure we shall put in place and a rapidly growing and busy labour force in our dear state will drive Abia’s journey to economic growth and development, which will in return share prosperity across it.
You equally talked about unity and inclusiveness; I want to know about it?
Nobody can deny the fact that when people feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, they are more likely to thrive, push and reach their full potential. Abia will build an inclusive society where we can foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration that will lead us to the creation of prosperity. We shall build a state where nobody is debased. A state where everyone has an equal opportunity to flourish, contribute meaningfully, and live authentically. We cannot just leave it to chance. We’ll ensure that it goes beyond acceptance or tolerance. We’ll legalise inclusiveness to eschew all forms of marginalisation. It shall not be an inclusion for a mere formality. It shall be holistic inclusion where everyone feels genuinely welcomed and valued regardless of their backgrounds.
You spoke on security and safety. Can I get details of that?
It is obvious that no serious country or state will reveal its security strategy to another, but let me be sincere to you, fellow Abians and Nigerians; under our watch, security and safety will encompass various elements, including risk management, policy development, compliance monitoring, and awareness. We’ll support and ensure that the existing federal security structure already established in our country works well in Abia without loopholes. Our security in Abia will be physical, technical and administrative. While the physical security protects our lives, properties and government infrastructure, technical security, which encompasses the mere use of digital tools, will equally be deployed. In administrative security, we shall take control of our environment from hamlets to the state capital with sound, modern policies, procedures, and practices that govern, implement, manage, and enforce security and safety across Abia State. These three approaches will give us a resilient security and safety mechanism that is very impregnable and difficult to be simultaneously circumvented. With the support we’ll give the already existing federal security structure, it is achievable.
