The All Progressives Congress, APC hopeful for the Imo East Senatorial District (Owerri Zone) in the 2023 election, Prince Dr Alex Mbata has reaffirmed that his records and achievements in the developments of Owerri Zone are the fears of those competing with him.
In a parley with the cream of print media executives in Owerri on Wednesday, 7th September, 2022, he stressed the need for a truth based reportage by the media.
According to him, he joined partisan politics for the first time to seek a larger platform to enable him expand his vision and mission for the creations of enabling environments for the economic and social growth of Owerri Zone in particular and the state in general.
Mbata, a foremost philanthropist who has been in the lead of developments of infrastructural needs and human capacity across Owerri Zone and beyond, said he was also attracted by the high quality of works done so far by His Excellency, Sen Hope Uzodimma, Governor, Imo State in spite of all challenges.
He said he is not in the race to enrich himself but to seek and achieve the common good for the people. “Examine my antecedents and find out if I am qualified. If I am, support me,” he said, adding that, “From the records of my contributions to the general upliftment of our society I am convinced of my knowledge and capacity to do more good if given the opportunity to represent Owerri Zone in the Senate.”
He said the eras of lies, thuggery and cunning as means of securing public offices is gone, maintaining that the people now ask for your score cards.
He further urged the media practitioners to always stick to the truth at all times. “Tell and publish the truth. Verify every story. Do not allow anyone to compromise you financially and materially to lie and blackmail other people.
He cited the sponsored stories against him on an imaginary IMSU Whitepaper as an example of deliberate spread of falsehoods and blackmails. He reaffirmed that there was no where in the Whitepaper he was indicted for any offence.
Prince Mbata maintained that he had a clean bill of service to the Imo state University as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council. He further said that his tenure was marked by great developments in the University as can be verified in the serious attentions and patronages he attracted to the University. He informed the media executives that the Lawyer who was deceived in writing the petition against him had written to him to withdraw the petition and apologize and that he had forgiven him out of his(Mbata’s) christian orientations.
He enjoined the media executives to always support the governor of the state in his genuine efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy to the state noting that the governor Sen Hope Uzodimma has done quite a lot of good within the time of his coming to power. He mentioned the infrastructural developments, return of trust and confidence in government by the people as evidences of the great works of the governor.
In question and answer session, Prince Alex Mbata explained that APC is a united party under the leadership of the state governor Sen Hope Uzodimma. He said the party having elected her candidates, is poised to work as a team for her success in the elections. He also said he had spoken with his brothers who contested for the Senate ticket with him and all of them shared the same values for a greater Owerri Zone and the success of the APC in the elections.
He enjoined the media executives to always embrace the truth by striking balance of convenience before going to press.
He further charged the media executives to always engage in constructive criticism and suggestions for the growth of the state instead of unnecessary denigration of government. “Hold on your integrity. Your pen should be a pen of integrity” which he said must be used for the good of the state.
Contributing, Rt Hon Goddy Dikeocha, the DG of the Prince Alex Mbata Divine Movement, described Mbata as the needed paradigm shift in Owerri Zone and a good man at heart and character who has all it takes to offer effective and quality representation of the Zone. He maintained that Mbata is the best option for the Owerri people in the Senate based on his verifiable track records of community developmental services.
*Nze James Chinonyerem*