The Governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 governorship election in Abia State, Chief Etugo Ndubuisi Ogah, has dismissed rumours suggesting that he is merely a placeholder candidate of the party.
Ogah went on to insist that he remains the authentic candidate of the NDC for the 2027 governorship election, stressing that his candidature has no placeholder tag on it.
While addressing women leaders of the party in Umuahia, he stated that his position was not in doubt, as his name had already been published on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), portal as the Governorship candidate of the NDC in Abia State.
According to him, the publication of his name by the electoral body should put to rest what he described as attempts to create confusion over the party’s candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
He further disclosed that the presidential candidate of the NDC is Mr Peter Obi, maintaining that the party has its own structure and identity and has no affiliation with the Labour Party as being purported in some quarters.
Ogah stressed that the Labour Party has its own presidential and governorship candidates and should not be confused with the NDC.
“The NDC has no affiliation with the Labour Party. Labour Party has its own governorship candidate in Abia and its presidential candidate. Nobody should use the name of the NDC presidential candidate to seek favour or create confusion”, he said.
The Abia NDC Governorship candidate said his emergence was driven by his determination to provide an alternative political platform for Abians who desire a new direction for the state.
Ogah said he was coming into the 2027 contest with a clear vision to change the narrative in Abia, alleging that the present administration of Governor Alex Otti had failed to properly manage the state’s resources for the benefit of its populace.
He particularly referenced the controversy surrounding the reported ₦1billion Hilux vehicles, saying the issue, in his view, raised serious questions about the transparency, accountability and priorities of the state government.
According to him, the alleged expenditure was symptomatic of what he described as an administration more focused on propaganda than on delivering meaningful development to the people.
He equally questioned the #6.5billion recreational facility and the #54billion for 51 smart schools that are unseen.
Ogah further revealed that his ambition was not merely to occupy the Government House but to rescue Abia from wastage and redirect the state’s resources towards projects and programmes that would directly improve the lives of the people.
He promised that an NDC administration under his leadership would prioritise human capital development, job creation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, industrial growth and support for small and medium-scale businesses, pledging to strengthen accountability and transparency in the management of public resources, insisting that government must be run as a vehicle for public service rather than personal or political interests.
However, he, called on Abians to scrutinise the records, programmes and promises of all political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, rather than being distracted by what he described as rumours and political propaganda.
He maintained that the NDC would present itself as a credible alternative and would campaign across the state to convince voters that Abia could achieve greater development with prudent management of its resources.
Meanwhile, Ogah urged his supporters and party members to remain focused, stating that the party would continue preparations for the 2027 elections while engaging Abians on its vision and agenda for the state.
