Chief Eric Opah, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Abia in the 2027 election, has publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
He described Tinubu as a “working President” whose administration is delivering increased funds to states.
Speaking after receiving the endorsement of the Umuahia Political Forum, Opah said his adoption of the President was deliberate and open.
He said : “Thank you members of Umuahia Political Forum for adopting me, but before I accept, I will first of all adopt the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu.
“I am adopting him clearly, openly, not in the night, not in hiding. I am adopting the APC candidate for presidential election come 2027,” Opah declared.
“I’m adopting our sitting President, our working President, the President that is giving us the funds to develop states.
“I am not adopting him shaking. Anyone that wants to adopt the President should come clearly, like me.”
Having made the declaration, Opah accepted the forum’s endorsement and thanked the APC for finding him worthy to fly the party’s flag in 2027.
The endorsement was made at the Umuahia residence of the Director-General of the Eric Opah Campaign Organization, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Umuahia Political Forum, Chief Ogbonna Okezie, said the forum was backing Opah because of his leadership experience and track record.
He also criticized aspects of the current state government, citing heavy taxation and the relocation of motor parks as policies that have hurt residents and commercial drivers.
The motion for the adoption was moved by Ikechukwu Ndudi and seconded by Maxwell Okwudiri, as both also backed Tinubu for 2027.
Ogbonna described Opah as a man of integrity and commitment to humanity, adding that his capacity to transform Abia informed his decision to lead the campaign.
Accepting the endorsement, Opah described it as a significant milestone, noting that the event drew people from different political parties — proof, he said, of growing acceptance of his candidacy.
The APC hopeful said his background as an entrepreneur who built businesses from the ground up and managed diverse teams across countries had prepared him for governance.
“I have the capacity, the knowledge and the expertise to lead Abia. My administration will be anchored on honesty, transparency, empathy and inclusive leadership,” he said.
Acknowledging public dissatisfaction with some government policies, Opah said Abia people deserved better governance.
“Abia deserves more. A leader performs better when that leader is not greedy. When I become governor, I will not be greedy.
“Public resources will be deployed solely for the benefit of the people,” he insisted.
He promised to run an open-door government, respect the Constitution, unite the state, and promote accountability, fairness, and the fear of God.
Opah added that his ticket was not limited to one person or party.
“My ticket is for all Abia people. Those who are doubting me, I’m coming. When I come, I will place my blueprint before you and address all your concerns.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum pledged to mobilize grassroots support for both Opah’s governorship bid and Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.(NAN).
