An aspirant to the Abia South senatorial position in 2015, Chief Chris Nkwonta says 2015 is his turn to represent the area at the senate as he persuaded to step down for Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe during the National Assembly elections in 2011.
Addressing a gathering of Abia south stakeholders of the PDP at the zonal Secretariat in Aba, Abia State,Nkwonta who warned other contestants to stay clear from the seat recalled how he was persuaded by most stakeholders and party officials from the zone and state to step down for Senator Abaribe during the 2011 PDP primaries.
He alleged the stakeholders and party executives, some of whom were present at the meeting, made a firm promise to him that if he steps down for Abaribe, 2015 will be his turn to represent the area at the senate.
Nkwonta who is a renowned shipping magnate, added that despite the huge set back, he has continued to support the PDP in the state.
According to him, “You will all remember what happened in 2011 about party delegates with tag. You know that if it were to be by the number of votes, I would have gone in 2011. What I would have come here to do is to renew my interest that I want to go back to the senate. But the party asked me to wait and I waited. While I was waiting, I have always supported the party and I make bold to say that after waiting all this while, that it is now my turn to represent the people of Abia South in the senate.
“If im elected as your senator, I am going to be your image maker and will be very useful to the zone because I am going to create more job opportunities for the people of Abia South.
While welcoming Nkwonta and his supporters to his office, Chairman, PDP Abia South zone, Navy Captain Samuel Ebere (rtd) who described the visit as timely, assured Nkwonta of a level playing ground for all aspirants under the platform of the party.
A party chieftain who spoke to 247ureports.com under the cover of anonymity recalled that Nkwonta had during the PDP primary held at the Enyimba International stadium in 2011, alleged that Senator Abaribe rigged him out of the contest by conniving with some party officials to introduce a tag for delegates which made his supporters to be denied entry into the stadium.
247ureports.com gathered that Nkwonta is set to battle with the member representing Ukwa East/ Ukwa West federal constituency, Barr. Uzoma Nkem Abonta, former commissioner for Environment, Engr. Solomon Ogunji, deputy speaker of the Abia state House of Assembly, Hon. Asiforo Okere, in what promises to be a clash of the titans as all the aspirants hail from Ukwa East LGA.
