A former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia State, Dr. Philips Nto, on Friday declared that he has accepted the genuine calls by well-meaning citizens for him to contest the Abia North Senatorial seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
“With obedience to the will of God, with humility and respect to my teeming well-wishers who have urged me to enter this race, I wish to offer myself for service at this critical and pivotal moment in our democratic journey. I accept to run for Senate in 2027 under APC,” Nto, a former Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu (ASCETA), announced amidst cheers.
Nto made the declaration when some pressure groups led by Old Bende Political Forum and Abia Christian Youth Assembly besieged his Umuahia home for an answer over their demands for him to represent Abia North Senatorial Zone in the Senate come 2027.
The groups had earlier in the month beseeched him to declare for the Senate seat, citing his rich antecedents in academic, administrative, and philanthropic activities.
They had also expressed dissatisfaction with the current representation of the zone, which they lamented had been reduced to a comic and family affair with no tangible benefit to the people of Abia North.
Nto had told them to give him time to seek the face of God and consult with his family, friends, and associates before giving them a definite answer.
As they surged back to his residence on Friday, the university lecturer affirmed that he would indeed run for the Senate to assuage the feelings of constituents of Abia North who feel shortchanged by the current representation.
“God has the final say in this historic journey that we are embarking on today. I feel encouraged by your support. I will immediately begin wide consultation with the people of Abia North so that together, we shall overcome,” he submitted.
He described Abia North as a zone blessed with enormous potential in every sector but regretted that the zone was being sidelined politically as a result of weak and selfish representation.
According to him, “Abia North deserves a voice that would genuinely speak for them. In line with my philosophy of inclusiveness, I will build a bridge between the young and the old and between the rich and the poor to ensure efficient wealth distribution.”
Nto also pledged to focus on his primary duties of lawmaking by initiating bills that would impact directly on the people of Abia North in particular and the state in general.
He canvassed support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the election of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu as the governor of Abia State, saying that the state can no longer afford to be in the opposition.
Said he, “For us to align properly with the centre, we should return Tinubu as President and elect Ben Kalu as our governor. We urgently need this synergy to fast-track the development of the state.”
He commended the various groups that urged him to contest the Senate seat but told them that they still have much work to do.
According to him, “You still have enormous sacrifices to make. It is only when we turn Abia State into an APC state that we can say that our task is completed.”
Earlier in their separate speeches, a former Commissioner in Abia State, Hon. Ngozi Oji, described Dr. Philips Nto as most qualified to occupy the Abia North Senate seat based on his track record of service in the state.
She recalled that when Dr. Nto was the Finance Commissioner, he won an award as the most productive in the Executive Council based on the quantum of Exco memos he generated, among which was the harmonisation of payment of levies in the state.
She also said that Nto has the advantage of age, being young, energetic, and resourceful, noting that the new generation should be given the opportunity for leadership.
In his own comments, Bro. Vitalis Igbokwe of Abia Christian Youth Assembly expressed happiness that Dr. Nto has yielded to the clarion call by the group for him to contest the election.
He pledged that they would mobilise their members to support Dr. Philips Nto in his bid for the position and prayed to God to grant him success.
Contributing, Rev. Ama Nwankwo of Old Bende Political Forum said the choice of Dr. Philips Nto for the Abia North Senatorial Zone was in order, saying that he had confidence that he wouldn’t disappoint the people.
In a vote of thanks, an oil magnate and prominent son of Ututu, Chief Stephen Kalu Nwankwo, described Dr. Nto as a sellable product who will deliver when he is elected into the Senate come 2027.
The highlight of the ceremony was a prayer session for God to grant Dr. Philips Nto success in his political quest to become the next Senator representing Abia North Senatorial Zone.
