Dan Opara
As part of their own strategic ways and targets to ensure that only the most credible, transparent, tested and trusted persons are elected,come Feb./March 2019 general elections in Ikeduru State Constituency and Mbaitoli-Ikeduru Federal Constituency in the forthcoming elections, an elite socio-political organization is known as “Ike-Ikeduru Association,IIA,was on Sunday,Feb.3rd 2019,conducted what the union tagged as “Ike-Ikeduru 2019 Election Debate”.
The programme which took place at the Owerri residence of the Ike-Ikeduru Coordinator, Dr.Osmond Ukanacho,was as well described as an interactive session for all the sons and daughters of Ikeduru LGA of Imo State who are contesting to represent Ikeduru at the National Assembly and at the State House of Assembly from across political parties in 2019.
In his welcome speech, Dr.Ukanacho expressed delight on the level of all those from Ikeduru who have shown their political interest as emerging leaders through an election.
“Ike-Ikeduru as an association has come to stay for peace, unity, development, and growth of the land. As an elite socio-political association that believed in the new order, which is to ensure that only those with interest of Ikeduru at heart would be supported and voted for. That Ikeduru in particular and Mbaitoli, in general, should first position in human capital development, education, social welfare and security of lives and properties of the people of Ikeduru. Ike-Ikeduru is apolitical, we are not supporting any particular party candidate, and we can favor any particular person until the people decide. We are purely for an intellectual exercise, as such we as a body would be able to know what those coming to represent us can offer, therefore we are not going to endorse any particular party candidate until after the outcome of the whole political election debate”, Ukanacho noted.
Contestants of the Federal House of Representative present at the interaction proper includes: “the APGA House of Representative Candidate for Mbaitoli/Ikeduru, Dr.Kemdi Opara, Hon. Henry Nwawuba, of PDP, Hon.Barr.Chibuzo Daniel Iwuorie,of APC, Hon.Chief Austin Okwara,of the Zenith Labour Party,ZLP, and Hon.Dr.Ambrose Unakalamba,of Accord Party,others are for Mbaike Seat are:Lady Chinonso Irene Emeka Ukaegbu,(Ada Mbaike),of the ADP.
Also,Candidates for Ikeduru State House of Assembly in attendance are:Hon.Sir.Chidi Emeagi,of UPP, Princess Ifeoma Bassey,of the MajaParty,and Hon Amb.Uche Ogbuagu,of the PDP,others are: Hon.Gabriel Onyekuru,of APGA,Hon.Barr.Alex Nwachukwu,of the Independent Democrats,ID,and Hon.Chief Darlington Benjamin Chimezie,of the Action Alliance,AA,who sent his paper blueprint but was absent.
Making their individual presentations of what they would be able to offer when elected as lawmakers,the Hon.Ambrose Unakalamba of Accord Party for Mbaike Reps.Seat,who is a retired staff of NNPC,said he is coming to offer effective representation for the people of his federal constituency and to put smiles on their faces,point out that he is a greedy man. “I have over grown acquisition of wealth.I am contented with all around me. Over 16 years,the Mbaike have been facing under development due to lack of quality leadership. Our youths are suffering but I shall enact laws that will favor the masses. The erosion problems in the land shall be tackled. I will attract development”,he state.
Hon.Henry Nwawuba,of the PDP for Mbaike,who is also the incumbent member,assured that if re-elected to serve,that he would focus on consolidation. He told his people that he must embark on ICT. To attract projects such as health insurance. Primary Health care centres shall be established. To encourage youths employment.
Furthermore,the ADP Mbaike Reps.candidate,Lady Irene Ukaegbu,pointed out that her leadership would be favorite to all and sundry. “Because Mbaike has been underrepresented by unqualified individuals,but I am going to enhance education,youth employment,women empowerment,health and creation of enabling environment for foreign investors. With the primary role of a legislature which is to make laws and to make reasonable laws for the interest of the people. I will be a strong voice for the youths and the women”,she stated.
In his own words,Barr.Daniel Chibuzo Iwuorie,of the APC for Mbaike Reps.Seat,assured his people that he would embark on a very elaborate and massive empowerment that will touch the people positively mostly from the 24 wards of Mbaike. He therefore said that he would engage thousands of the youths through skills acquisition.
From the Ikeduru State Assembly party contestants,the candidate of UPP,Hon.Sir.Chidi Emeagi,who is the publisher,Nigerian Newsguide Newspaper Owerri,said a Development Journalists,a Chartered Administrator,studied in Lagos University,with numerous legislative experiences as the Former Chairman,Imo House of Assembly Media (Press) Crew,tested and trusted,that if given the legislative opportunity to serve Ikeduru as a lawmaker,that he would offer quality representation. Emeagi therefore told the electorate(s) of Ikeduru to support and vote for him as the best and most qualified candidate for the position.
He recalled on his 2008 bill for a law to provide free Medicare for children and mothers in the Imo State,which according to him would be made a law,when elected as a lawmaker.
“I am Christian,a fear God,I am the best of all and I have the best to offer”,Emeagi boasted.
Adding his voice,the candidate of PDP,Hon.Amb.Uche Ogbuagu,said he would fight against any opposition Governor in Imo,if elected,pointed out that his focal points would be the interest of the masses.
” I have invested at home before now,and I would more focused to do more when I am in power as a lawmaker. I will make law that before you come out to contest for any elective position,you must show the society what you have invested at home for the benefit of the rural dwellers”,Ogbuagu said.
Barr.Alex Nwachukwu,of ID party,said he would create a bill for a law to form or establish Agricultural Cooperatives. And also push a bill for a law to support Public Schools in quality education abs learning.
Hon.Gabriel Onyekuru,of APGA for Ikedi State Assembly,said ” we have no state govt.presence in Ikeduru and that has been the major reason I have decided to come out to offer effective representation as a state lawmaker.I want to positively reflect in the lives of Ikeduru people. We have suffered set back and enough is enough. I have come to add values and increase development in the State Constituency,if elected”.
Onyekuru,who have worked in many Multi-National Oil Companies,expressed optimism that his contacts would attract job opportunities for the people of Ikeduru through his partnership with professional organizations. He said through his capacity that he will make a bill for a law to ensure that Science Teachers would be posted to the rural areas for effective learning for academic productivity. That he would also push a bill for a law to create more State Constituencies in Imo State especially from Ikeduru as a fearless man with passion for development as a pace setter.
In the same vain,the Maja Party Ikeduru State Assembly candidate,Mrs.Ifeoma Bassey,said as a woman,that she would first uphold the interest of women and the youths. That she would surely revive the lives of Ikeduru people through women empowerment support programmes. She pointed out that her legislation would definitely enhance the productivity,human capital development and attract foreign investors. That she would be a strong voice,but appealed to Ikeduru to vote for her,come March 2nd 2019.
Meanwhile,the Debate Moderator,Chief Emma Okere,a well respected media practitioner in Imo State,in advice,told all the contestants from Mbaike to ensure they implemented all they have enumerated,if elected into power.
Adding his voice also,the Ike-Ikeduru 2019 Debate Committee Chairman,Hon.Chief Sam Akah,said the Committee under his watch shall never be partial or bias in disclosing the winner of the debate. He maintained that the association as none-political are poised to ensure that only the most qualified and most credible persons (political party candidates) emerged victoriously as electives members of the State/National Assembly members,come Feb.16th and March 2nd 2019 polls.
Other members of the debate committee and members of the panel of judges includes: the Admin.Sec/BoT member of Ike-Ikeduru,Dr.Joe Chibundu,Chief Sam Akah,who is Traditional Prime Minister of Iho-Dimeze in Ikeduru,Hon.Tobeyas Pashcal Nze,Barr.Ken Uzechi,Mr.John Nwachukwu and Chief Mrs.Shireen Amaonu,who respectively carried out their duties as committee members towards the successful political interactive session organised for party candidates from Ikeduru and Mbaitoli extraction.
