A former lawmaker representing Abia Central Senatorial District and a stakeholder in the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, Senator Chris Adighije, has canvassed for a second term for President Bola Tinubu.
He also urged residents of Ikwuano and Umuahia South local government areas to align with the party ahead of the 2027 elections, while stressing that the APC does not support a one-party system in Nigeria.
Adighije made the remarks in Umuahia during a ceremony where his pro-APC group, Ikwuano/Umuahia Initiative, led by Chief Ako Atuloma, appointed him as their Patron.
Speaking on the party’s performance, Adighije said, “The president, Bola Tinubu, seems to know Nigeria better than all of us. And he is going in the right direction. Now, I understand food prices are beginning to go down.
Fuel prices are going down. I think if he continues in that direction for another four years, Nigeria will get better than this. Therefore, Ikwuano/Umuahia will have to align with APC to ensure that Tinubu wins the election for us.”
Addressing concerns over the possibility of Nigeria becoming a one-party state, Adighije stated,
“What I am saying is that our party, the ruling party in Nigeria, is not for a one-party system. We are a democratic political party. We always believe in giving an opportunity to the opposition.
There is no way Nigeria will be a one-party country. But if all the people decide to be one party, who are we?
“In the words of President Bola Tinubu, you cannot ask a man who is seeing the ship sinking not to jump out. We believe in democracy, and we are not in any way encouraging a one-party system.
“But if all the other politicians decide to come and join us, the merrier for us. That is our position. We are opposed to that. One-party system? No, we are opposed to that because we are all democrats.”
On the possibility of Abia State joining the APC, he added,
“Remember that Abia State and Anambra have not moved to APC. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. We are democratic. If they want to join the party, then they join.”
Accepting the role of Patron of the Ikwuano/Umuahia Initiative, Adighije said,
“I never dreamt that this day would come. When eminent Igbo people gather in a place, whatever we decide, that is what we will do. Ikwuano/Umuahia needs this type of structure and holds the balance of power in Abia State. And here I am, eminent Igbo. I believe in grassroots. So they make a decision, and I advise leadership. I am ready to serve.”
Earlier, the convener of the group, Chief Ako Atuloma, said the meeting was convened to streamline political activities ahead of 2027 in Ikwuano and Umuahia LGAs.
“We have chosen him (Sen. Adighije) to be our patron. We don’t want a situation where things are done anyhow in this constituency.
“The era where politicians go and buy people to nominate them for positions is gone. Our idea now is that we are the ones who go and tell you to come out and run. So when we bring you out to run, then you are responsible to the people,” Atuloma said.
