Frances Ogbonnaya Emerges Abia Assembly Candidate, Promises Transparent Representation for Arochukwu

Mrs Frances Olisa Ogbonnaya, popularly known as Tabitha, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Arochukwu State Constituency seat in the Abia State House of Assembly, expressing gratitude and excitement over what she described as an overwhelming mandate from party supporters.

Speaking shortly after her emergence, Ogbonnaya said the victory was both fulfilling and humbling, noting that the support she received reflected the confidence people have in her leadership capacity.

“I find it very overwhelming, not just overwhelming, but fulfilling seeing a good number of persons come together to hand you over a mandate to move further to the general election,” she said. “I’m so happy, and I thank God Almighty for the opportunity.”

On what the people of Arochukwu should expect from her candidacy, Ogbonnaya said her passion for community development predates her current political ambition.

“One thing about me is that I had aspired for this office before now. I have always been passionate about my people, Arochukwu, and being a full-blooded Arochukwu woman, anything for the goodness of my people is something I do not joke with,” she stated.

She highlighted several initiatives she has championed over the years, including a free five-day ICT and skills acquisition workshop she said she has organised annually for five years. According to her, outstanding participants were empowered with laptops and other startup tools.

“I did it at Ozuabam, and also in Abia State College of Education and Technical Arochukwu (ASCETA), where I empowered a lot of people with laptops,” she added.

Ogbonnaya also referenced her brief impact in the Abia State Government in the last administration, where she served for about eight months as a Special Adviser. During that period, she said she hosted the first Gender Equality Day aimed at recognising women who contributed to Nigeria’s political development.

She pledged to bring honesty, accountability, and strong representation to the Abia State House of Assembly if elected.

“Everybody knows I’m already a strong voice,” she said. “I’m going to carry along with me the honesty that I’m known for.”

She argued that after the Abam clan’s 24-year representation in the State House of Assembly, equity and fairness demand that the seat be rotated to other parts of Arochukwu Local Government Area.

Tabitha also criticised what she described as a lack of transparency among some lawmakers, alleging that some public office holders receive significant allocations but fail to account for them properly.

“Right representation would put an end to that falsehood,” she declared.

Addressing concerns about her role as the Publicity Secretary of her party and her emergence as a candidate, Ogbonnaya explained that party guidelines already provide clear procedures for handling such situations.

“There are guidelines to address this,” she said. “When you hold an elected position in the party through congress and later emerge for elections, there are routes and processes you have to follow, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

When pressed on whether she would or had resigned from her current office, she maintained that the party constitution contains provisions guiding such matters, including waivers and laid-down procedures.