A former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia, Dr Philips Nto, on Friday declared his intention to contest the Abia North Senatorial seat in 2027 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“With obedience to the will of God, and 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 the APC,” Nto, a former Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, ASCETA, announced amid cheers.
Nto made the declaration when pressure groups led by the Old Bende Political Forum and the Abia Christian Youth Assembly besieged his Umuahia residence to demand a response to their call for him to represent Abia North Senatorial District in 2027.
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The groups had earlier in the month urged him to join the race, citing his “rich antecedents in academics, administration, and philanthropy.”
They also expressed dissatisfaction with the current representation of the zone, which they described as having been reduced to a “comic and family affair with no tangible benefit to the people of Abia North.”
Nto had asked for time to “seek the face of God and consult with family, friends, and associates” before giving a definite answer.
As the groups returned to his residence on Friday, the university lecturer affirmed that he would 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 we are embarking on today.
” I feel encouraged by your support. I will immediately begin wide consultations with the people of Abia North so that together, we shall overcome,” he said.
He described Abia North as a zone “blessed with enormous potential in every sector” but regretted that it was being “sidelined politically as a result of weak and selfish representation.”
“Abia North deserves a voice that will 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 stated.
The former commissioner pledged to focus on lawmaking by initiating bills that would impact Abia North and the state directly.
He also canvassed support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and for the election of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Benjamin Kalu, as Governor of Abia, insisting that “the state can no longer afford to be in the opposition.”
“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 said.
Nto commended the groups for urging him to contest but reminded them that more work lay ahead.
“You still have enormous sacrifices to make. It is only when we turn Abia into an APC state that we can say our task is completed,” he added.
Earlier, a former Commissioner in Abia, Mrs Ngozi Oji, described Nto as “most qualified” to occupy the Abia North Senate seat.
She recalled that as Finance Commissioner he won an award as “the most productive in the Executive Council” due to the number of memos he generated, including the harmonisation of levy payments in the state.
She noted that Nto’s age, energy, and resourcefulness were advantages, adding that “the new generation should be given opportunity for leadership.”
Vitalis Igbokwe of the Abia Christian Youth Assembly expressed happiness that Nto had “yielded to the clarion call” and pledged to mobilise members to support him, while praying for his success.
Rev. Ama Nwankwo of the Old Bende Political Forum said the choice of Nto was “in order” and expressed confidence that he would not disappoint the people.
In a vote of thanks, oil magnate and prominent Ututu son, Chief Stephen Nwankwo, described Nto as a “sellable product” who would deliver when elected in 2027.
The highlight of the ceremony was a prayer session for Nto’s success in his bid to become the next Senator representing Abia North.
