The Forum who stated this at the end of their meeting at Obehie in Ukwa West Local Government Area, demanded Abaribe to withdraw from the contest and support a younger candidate who has the capacity to bring dividends of democracy to the district.
In a statement by its Chairman, Ebere Nwagbara and Secretary, Chinkata Benson, the Forum further stated that it has concluded plans to convene town hall meetings across the six local government Areas by the last week of January 2023, to sensitize people on why Abaribe should not be re-elected.
Describing Abaribe as a failed senator, the group insisted that it would be a great disservice to the people of Abia South to endure another four years of lack of federal presence in the zone if Abaribe is allowed to return to the senate for the fifth time.
“Throughout the six local government areas of Abia South senatorial zone, there is no evidence of the delivery of dividends of democracy by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who is spending his fourth term at the Senate. There is a total lack of federal presence across the Abia South zone. The Aba –Ikot Ekpene; Aba – Port Harcourt and Opobo –Azumini federal roads that link Abia with neighbouring states are not passable.
“Even the roads to Abaribe’s country home in Ohuru community in Obingwa LGA are still yet to be done. But Abaribe has been in the senate for sixteen years. All the senator has done in eight years is to attack President Muhammadu Buhari instead of liaising with his administration to attract dividends of democracy to his constituents.
“We did not elect him to the senate to fight the President but to attract projects, appointments and employment opportunities to the people of the zone. There is no doubt that Abaribe has nothing to offer and should make way for a younger candidate who has the contacts to attract dividends of democracy to the zone. We are set to commence town hall meetings across the six LGAs to sensitize the electorate on why Abaribe should be re-elected. It will be a great disservice to the people of Abia south to allow Abaribe waste another four years at the Senate.”
The group whose membership is spread across the 66 political wards of Abia South zone disclosed that it has started mobilizing the electorate against Abaribe to ensure that a capable and non cantankerous personality is elected to represent the zone in 2023.
