*Women, Youths Storm APC Secretariat With Letters Of Endorsement

BY NJOKU MAC DONALD OBINNA

Following last Saturday’s All Progressives Congress Stakeholders’ Meeting presided over by His Excellency , Sen. Hope Uzodinma, at the Exco Chambers, Government House , Owerri , wherein a resolution was reached for a consensus candidate for the party ahead of the October 31, 2020,  INEC scheduled date for the forthcoming Imo North Senatorial District bye -election; which necessitated the constitution of the  Sir Cosmos Iwu led 9 -man APC Harmonization/Screening Committee for all the aspirants jostling for the soul of the coveted vacant Okigwe Senate seat in the Red Chambers.

Expectedly, a lot of emergency support groups have sprung up, emergency ‘political philanthropists ‘ are now on the prowl , running from one rented support group or the other for endorsements when it is so obvious they are not on ground and in touch with the people at the grassroots . A rather laughable exercise  which this reporter has taken keen observation of given his understanding of the politics of Okigwe zone. Truth be told, they are ‘fantastically not honest ‘ with their bogus claims of having the interest of the masses nay electorates at  hearts .

On the contrary , however , the above cannot be completely said about Chief Chikwem Onuoha who has been in active politics and consistently too , over the years ; while reaching out to the youths , the elderly, leaders of Okigwe political  zone, religious groups, the churches, traditional institutions,  women groups,  students unions , the physically challenged , the  trodden , amongst others! Therefore , one can see why it is not surprising to witness this  plethora of massive solidarity  across party divides and political structures drumming out their supports  for Chikwem Onuoha who had and has always identified with their needs with his brand of ‘grassroots politics of humanity.’ Youth friendly, most accessible and a careless giver!

 To these people , there is no other better time to say thank you than paying him back with their unflinching support, unalloyed loyalty and  votes as they passionately appealed to the APC State Excos and the Harmonization Committee to give them  this illustrious and proud of son of  Okigwe zone from Umuaro 11 Autonomous Community in Isiala Mbano LGA ; as most preferable , best choice ,  credible and trusted replacement for the late Distinguished, Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu.

From the strength of above , the over 2000 youths from different volunteer and youth  support groups including women;  who stormed the APC Party Secretariat along Okigwe road to unanimously submit their letters of endorsements of Chief Chikwem Onuoha to the party Excos is a loud testimonial that the billionaire real estate mogul, business maverick , political strategist and grassroots politician is  genuinely loved by his people and also on ground. ”Chikwem Onuoha wipes away our tears and solves our problems within his reach.” Mrs. Udochukwu Charity recounted during an interview session with 4thestatereporters.com.

The intimidating crowd of  well composed  youths with different political banners with boldly written  inscriptions  of  Chief Chikwem Onuoha’s endorsement  for Okigwe Senate were warmly received by Hon. Nick Osuagwu , APC State Deputy Chairman, Rt. Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe , Deputy Chairman of the APC and Special Adviser to the Imo State governor on Public Utility , Hon. Paul Opara , Owerri Zonal Chairman of APC, among other party officials at the Secretariat.

Speaking to the party officials on half of other support groups  before handing over the letters of endorsements , Comr. Chidiebere Edih, Secretary of Okigwe Youth Progressive Forum with a letter captioned :

“Sir,HON. CHIKWEM CHIJIOKE ONUOHA IS THE POPULAR CHOICE OF THE YOUTH OF IMO NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT”

The youth leader before passing a vote of confidence on Chief Chikwem Onuoha , recounted the woes of Okigwe zone as previous federal lawmakers who represented them in the Nigerian Senate lacked the leadership wit and legislative sagacity to put the zone on the map of Nigerian political landscape and national discourse the resultant effect which was negligence of the zone as moribund federal establishments were not resuscitated.

The youth groups in their letters resolved that; “Okigwe zone deserves quality , competent and responsive representative as a senator who is not above fifty years. They however , made it abundantly clear that Chikwem Onuoha is the only  senatorial aspirant in the forthcoming Imo North Senatorial Bye -election that enjoys 95% support of the youths and 65% support of men and women.

Taking over the floor  from Hon (Engr.) Nick Osuagwu , Zonal Chairman of APC, Okigwe Zone , who welcomed the youth groups , the APC state party chairman ,  Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe , who stood in for  the state party chairman , Hon (Barr.) Marcelinus Nlemigbo, saluted the resilience of the youth support groups for drumming out supports for their principal and preferred candidate for the forthcoming Imo North Senatorial Bye -Election. While correcting a seeming wrong  impression of forcing a candidate on the neck of the party or screening committee , Chief Nzekwe assured them that a level playing ground would be created for all the aspirants to sell their manifestos to the Harmonization |Screening Committee. It is called democracy at work.

In his own words, the representative of the state party chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Nzekwe stated; ” As a political party , we are preparing very seriously for this election , and have a way and manner of selecting a candidate for the party.” 

He further added, “Chikwem Onuoha is a very vibrant young, very strong , and a youth that anybody would want to work with.” But we shall give everybody ample opportunity to showcase what they have, but  if you convinced the panel and others , we know what to do.

While rounding off his brief and concise remarks , he   charged the youth support groups to continue with their activities very diligently.

Okigwe Youth Progressive Forum, Okigwe Youth Brethren Okigwe North Youth Progressive Forum among other women support groups were at the State Party Secretariat to roll out the drums in support of Prince Chikwem Onuoha for Imo North Senatorial District ticket as a consensus candidate .