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Ahead of 2023 Gubernatorial Contest for the Lion House of Abia State, especially hinged on the argument and projections that Ohafia people (BLOC) are duly deserving of producing the man that will replace Dr Okezie Ikpazu in the spirit of Equity during the next power transition.

This argument is also given credence in the fact that Ohafia people have long been denied government support in areas of development as a people, a situation which they believe that producing the next governor will help to strike a balance in the polity.

In this interview with Comr Amos Kalu of OHAFIA-TV NEWS, one of the potential political stalwarts of Ohafia extraction, Pastor Okey Udo, a 2019 gubernatorial aspirant in Abia State, bares his mind on a lot of salient issues bothering on 2023 and the need for total rebranding of the political process of Abia State for more developmental results.

Excepts

For the benefit of people that may have missed the activities of the last Gubernatorial contest where you featured prominently, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Pastor Okey Okoro Udo is the Managing Director of VOG Global investment Limited, Managing Consultant of VOG Global Consult and M’Lord Udo Consult Limited. He has extensive technical cum managerial experience spanning over 18 years both in private and public sector organizations.
He has worked and consulted for local and international companies such as Schwarzenberg Trust Service Reg (Liechtenstein/Swaziland), Federal Polytechnic Mubi, to mention but a few. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Calabar, Calabar,and Master of Science Degree in International Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom and is currently studying for his PhD in management specializing in Finance, at the Prestigious University, Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

He is a Certified Public Accountant, member of Nigerian Institute of Management, a member Institute of Chartered Trustees and many other professional bodies and a strong agent of positive social change groomed in Walden University.

Pastor Okey has passion for sound and ethical societal development. His pastoral calling has taken him to many countries of the world persuading men on the path of a better society and economic development. He is a well groomed pastor of the Christ Victorious Ministries, a member of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), member Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and many other Christian bodies within and outside Africa.
Okey Udo is the founder of Grace Intervention for Triumph (GIFT) foundation which offers scholarships to students and the less privileged. He loves education and offers the same privilege to others to acquire same. He is the life patron of Eminent Youth Empowerment Foundation(EYEF) established for training youths in leadership and computer skills. He has passion for leadership and economic development of the society. Pastor Okey Okoro Udo was a candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP) AS A DIVINE CHOICE FOR ABIA STATE,

What is your reaction to Covid-19 effect on Nigerians, vis-avis, provision of leadership at all levels?

COVID-19, though widely attended by ignorantly-driven conspiracy theories, can be dubbed as a cluster of pneumonia cases from unknown virus which surfaced in Wuhan, China. It is abbreviated from Coronavirus disease of 2019.

COVID-19 pandemic as a global phenomenon, apart from its health implications, has socio-economic cum political disruptions. Above all, it has greatly exposed the ill- preparedness and poor leadership style of our extant leaders. Pandemic with its associated pandemonium is not new in the history of man’s existence. There have always been global famines and health challenges in the bible days, even in1918. Only those who have strategically planned their economy are least affected negatively.

Every economy is viewed as a system because what affects one sector trickles to others. Economic planning is not only systematically tilted but also systemic. Investment in health also affects the sociopolitical environment of an economy. Hence, you hear the saying “health is wealth” of a nation.
The economic uncertainties associated with COVID-19 have significant impacts on the global economy as the United Nations Trade and Development Agency (UNCTAD) put the cost of the outbreak above $2 trillion in 2020. The negative implications will linger for months.

Many employments are in jeopardy with Nigeria already having more than 23.1% unemployment rate from the current documentation of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Nigeria is rated as the poverty capital of the world, ranking 21st among 181 countries with more than 87 million people living at the threshold of less than $2 a day.

It is interestingly commendable as federal government of Nigeria has cut the retail price of gasoline under the price modulation arrangement, which from economic point of view, will aid in curbing the inflationary impact of the pandemic, especially as it pertains to basic needs and the dispositions of the poor. But this is also an opportunity for the government to fully deregulate the petroleum industry in accordance with existing recommendations and reports by various experts. We should not rely on the price crapping approach that positions the PPPRA to constantly issue monthly guide on appropriate pricing and it’s associated sluggishness.
Deregulation of the sector might be of help to the government to return to under-recovery of the oil prices shortfall through the NNPC when the global economy regains its health.
No wisdom in swimming in the ocean of waste, thinking you are dancing to the rhythm of the ocean wave, rather getting drowned.

This is the time for the Nigeria government policy makers to strengthen their policies on economic diversification via implementatable supports to SMEs beyond fake palliatives to family and friends. The thrusts should tilt to agricultural incentivizing, local manufacturing, solid minerals and bespoke services that will grow the economy.

Ohafia Bloc have continued to make case for the opportunity to lead Abia in 2023, banking on the PDP Charter of Equity. What’s your take on this argument, considering the fact that all the contestants may not be part of the PDP arrangement?

Which area should produce Abia governor in 2023?

According to the Abia Charter of Equity, the various components of Abia State in the spirit of equity and fairness should have a shot at the governorship of the State. In line with this, Abia North Senatorial Zone produced the governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007 followed by Abia Central that produced between 2007 and 2015. Abia Southl Zone is now having her shot.

Following this principle, after the tenure of the present governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the governorship should naturally come back to Abia North Zone, where Ohafia remains the highest stakeholder. And so in the spirit of equity and fairness, Abia North and of course Ohafia, is positioned to produce the next governor of Abia State come 2023. It is now beyond PDP arrangement, it has become a political culture that has made Abia State one of the most politically stable States in Nigeria.

So Why Ohafia BLOC particularly?

Since the creation of Abia State, Ohafia is the most disadvantaged in Abia North when it comes to the governance of Abia state, whether as executive governor or even deputy, not even as a senator but only represented Arochukwu/Ohafia constituency for two years. Yet we have the third largest population and voting strength in Abia state. Ohafia is the third urban center and headquarters of one of the three senatorial zones in Abia state. The first and second being Aba and Umuahia, respectively haven taken a shot at the governorship seat leaving Ohafia disadvantaged.

However, political position is not just given but you must contend in battle for it, or you lose it. Even God advises that we fight for the position that is naturally due to us.
See: Deuteronomy 2:24 KJV
Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.

Are you vying for any post in 2023? Are you presenting yourself for governorship or another position?

We are working presently, for the liberation and benefit of the entire Abia state, and specifically for Mben buru uzo, ife oduo esoya.

There has been a worrisome influx of citizens from the Northern part of Nigeria to the South even during lockdown. What is your take on this trend?

The northerners you are talking about are the fulanis. The fulanis are highly mobile in nature, and sometimes with violent idiosyncratic intrusions to propagate their religion and socioeconomic dominance. That’s how they have taken over many nations. But it is duty of each governor to protect his territory, especially when the center has abdicated his responsibility. At the fear of being classed as conspiracy theorist, this exodus may be beyond craving for economic survival. There is a milito-political repositioning against 2023, for the north to continue in power or the least, to plant a stooge from the south as a Nigerian president. This agenda may be by force, and many outstanding southerners may be imprisoned before 2023 to weaken the stance of the Igbos in particular.

What do you think the government should do at state and federal levels to cushion the aftermath of COVID-19, given that many pundits have predicted recession and other economic woes?

I have stated it earlier here that there’s strong need for the diversification of the economy beyond oil dependence. Various sectors should be encouraged. Education is a key also. Our education is grounded today because we never planned for a technological driven economy. Our students should be receiving lectures online, as some private universities are offering now. The benefits of online education can not be overemphasized.

We can start planning for ten years now to improve such sectors. Let the government select a sound economic team to plan strategically where we want to be in 50 years time. In the interim, the local manufacturing outfits should be supported with soft loans and grants as deemed necessary. SMEs are the engine of development, and such should be empowered.

Do you see any end to this pandemic in sight, especially when confirmed cases in Nigeria keep skyrocketing?

Everything that has a beginning has an end. COVID19 has its expiry date depending on how we contend it. The 1918 influenza, which was caused by H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin, and lasted for more than two years with more than 500 million people or estimated one-third of the global population infected with the virus, and 50 million deaths worldwide. Covid 19 will go but our proactive dispositions remain a key in limiting the negative effects.

What is your message to Abia, cum Nigerians; politically, economically and religiously concerning challenges of 2020?

COVID19 pandemic should not be politicised, but let it be an avenue to rethink on our shortcomings in leadership styles and restrategize for development. We should encourage our citizens to go back to farm. Agu di n’obodo.

Religious leaders should teach the value of hardwork, even as they pray for a better economy. God’s blessings are on the works of our hand. Abia is God’s own state. God will surely bless us as we work in our areas of calling or training. Farming reduces famine.