Encouraged by his impressive credentials and track record of service, a group has called on the former Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu (ASCETA), Dr Philips Nto, to contest the upcoming senatorial election to represent Abia North under the APC.
The group, Abia North Voice for Change, described Dr Philips Nto as the only person who can bring refreshing and effective leadership to Abia North and end years of political deceit and gross underrepresentation in the zone.
In a statement issued at the end of its meeting in Arochukwu on Thursday, the group said Abia North urgently needs a man of Philips Nto’s pedigree to drive its developmental initiatives and halt the drift toward exclusionism and antagonism in its political journey.
In the statement signed by Mazi Sunday Torty, the chairman, and Mr Iroha Samuel, the secretary, the group said the time has come to end politics of “familytocracy” and the resort to blackmail in the name of representation.
According to it, “Abia North is tired of being a laughing stock among other senatorial zones. We cannot continue to be subjected to the whims of one family cornering the patrimony of the entire zone. We need fresh blood, a new voice like Philips Nto.”
The group cited the outstanding performance of Nto as Provost of ASCETA, where, for seven years, he transformed the college from a glorified secondary school into a world-class citadel of learning.
It also pointed to his remarkable achievements as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, where he emerged as one of the most productive commissioners based on his innovative ideas and policy formulation in the financial services sector in the state.
It further commended Philips Nto for his human capital development efforts, which have seen him secure employment for hundreds of Abia North youths, leveraging his cordial relationship with those in power.
The group noted that, as a young man with vast connections, having served as a World Bank consultant, Philips Nto would better serve the economic and political interests of Abia North than the current leadership.
It therefore urged him to contest the Abia North Senate seat under the banner of the APC, assuring him of the massive support of the people of the five local government areas that make up the zone.
