The PDP presidential candidate at the 2019 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was in Aba, the business hub of Abia State and the entire southeast, to hold a Town Hall Meeting with the business community of Igbo extraction.
Atiku who arrived the Enyimba city with his running mate, Mr Peter Obi, the national chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel et al, was received by the executive governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.
In his welcome speech at Town Hall which was filled to capacity, Governor Ikpeazu described Atiku as one man who has the needed experience to positively impact on businesses in Nigeria since he has been a businessman himself for many years.
He further said that he trusts Atiku’s presidency will also help to revitalise the numerous moribund industries in Abia State.
Responding to the concerns raised by the business community soon after, Atiku expressed great joy at the governor’s untiring efforts in the promotion of “Made in Aba” goods some of which he inspected before the Town Hall Meeting commenced, saying he looked forward to his presidency partnering with the governor in further promoting SMEs not only in Aba but also in the entire country. He praised the Igbos for being pacesetters when it comes to business anywhere in Nigeria whether in Port Harcourt, the north, the southwest and the southeast. He hailed their resilience for continuing despite the harsh environment they operate in, promising to do everything within the law to address their concerns and challenges as they affect the Igbo business community.
On the congestion of Lagos ports that the business community said hinders their businesses greatly, the former vice president lamented the fact that “Nobody in APC understands the workings of the ports so how will they be able to solve the challenges there? You have no business voting for this (APC) government. With my experience, I will make the ports functional including the ones in the eastern part of the country as this will make businesses grow, create jobs and make the people prosper”.
Earlier, the PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had extolled the virtues of the Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, saying that he was the kind of visionary leader Atiku would like to associate with for establishing the Enyimba Economic City which will create jobs. He told the crowd who cheered him on as he spoke that Atiku has shown his genuine concern for their interest by being the first candidate to come to the Igbo business community specially to ask them what their challenges are and what he can do to solve them if elected president.
On his part, Prince Uche Secondus described Atiku as a highly detrabilised Nigerian who has travelled far and wide and is the most prepared person to rescue Nigeria.
Those who also spoke at the event included Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Rtn Andy Ubah, Mrs Ify Okolue, Chief Frank Jacons, Chief Ajaegbu among others.
One of the highlights of the event was the commissioning of MCC Road, a road of strategic importance to all Abians especially the business community, by Former Deputy Speaker of the house of Representative and PDP gubernatorial candidate in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.
