PDP governorship aspirant Chief John Okiyi-Kalu says his goal is to deliver prosperity Abians can “see and feel” by industrialising the state and overhauling education, health, and agriculture.
Speaking after a successful screening by the PDP governorship screening committee led by Ahmed Makarfi, Kalu called the process smooth and described the PDP as a party he’s stood with since 1999 without defecting.
He used the moment to criticise the current Abia administration, calling it “90% propaganda and 10% substance.” Kalu disputed claims of 51 smart schools, a rail station, and a flyover, arguing that billions were spent on projects that don’t exist. He also said he, not Governor Alex Otti, completed the Ariaria International Market remodelling during his time as commissioner for trade and investment.
“If you’re not from Abia or don’t work there, you’re free to believe whatever you wish,” he said. “Those from Abia know Abia well, and once I move, they’ll all stand behind me.”
Kalu said he’s not interested in wealth accumulation, noting he left office after eight years poorer and has survived repeated probes without fault. His plans include:
– N100,000 annual bursary for every Abia tertiary student
– 100 Abians sent abroad yearly for studies
– N120,000 minimum wage for lowest-ranked civil servants, with regular promotions and allowances
– More industries in garment and shoe clusters to create jobs
– Securing public schools with fencing, teacher housing, and permanent security before deploying learning equipment
– Two tertiary health institutions per senatorial district linked to primary health centres via telemetry
– Mass palm tree planting to make Abia a palm state
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On infrastructure, he said roads and flyovers are basic, but he would build them where needed, citing plans for flyovers at Waterside Ogbor-Hill in Aba, Isi Gate in Umuahia, and Ugwu Enuda in Abiriba.
“Smart School will be a joke compared to what we’re coming up with,” Kalu said, promising to end the theft of public funds and rebuild Abia’s public schools.
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