The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and the PDP standard-bearer for Ikwuano-Umuahia Federal Constituency at the February 25th general elections, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji MNSE, yesterday in the company of the PDP flagbearers for Abia Central Senatorial Zone and Umuahia Central State Constituency, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd) and Pastor Ugochukwu Uchegbu respectively, arrived to a carnival-like welcome at the venue of a political interaction with the people of Umuahia III.
After going round the expansive field to acknowledge cheers from the obviously elated crowd, the Speaker started his address by telling them that he was proud to stand before them with confidence because he has fulfilled his campaign promises from the last elections. He reeled out his achievements to include the renovation and reconstruction of schools including the venue of the gathering, provision of borehole water, electric transformers, opening of new roads and grading of existing ones in several rural communities, construction of mini-stadiums, scholarships to indigent students, business support funds to young entrepreneurs and traders, youth empowerment through training in ICT for self-employment, among others. He promised to do more for the people once he assumes office at the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja.
He reminded the people that the politics of attracting greater projects to them from the Federal level is more intense and complicated and that the constituency needs a man of tested capacity and trusted competence like himself to navigate adroitly through the processes and ensure their own share of dividends of democracy from the national level gets to them.
The Speaker emphasised that the days of politicians giving excuses for non-performance are gone as the populace will not tolerate such excuses any more no matter the circumstances. He therefore urged all those running for office under the PDP at the general elections to brace up for the challenges ahead and make the necessary sacrifices to ensure a better life for the people.
While addressing the women specifically, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji reminded them to take advantage of the Female Rights Law which he introduced into the State to ensure that their rights as females are not trampled upon and that their husband’s properties, whenever they are late, are not taken away from them by relatives of their husbands. He said matters affecting the female folks touch him greatly which was the reason he ensured the Female Rights Law was passed and assented to by the Governor. He promised to do more for the women once he is voted into the Federal House of Representatives on February 25th.
The Speaker urged the people to also vote for the PDP candidates for Abia Central Senatorial District and Umuahia Central State Constituency, Col Austin Akobundu and Pastor Ugochukwu Uchegbu respectively, saying he has had extensive discussions with them on the need to ensure they give the people effective and impactful representations at their different levels, and that he has no doubt in his mind that they will deliver on their campaign promises.
Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji also announced the full integration of non-indigenes in the constituency into the politics and governance of Umuahia North LGA even to the highest level.
Speaking earlier, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd) promised to give the people outstanding representation as he looks to build on the legacies of the outgoing Senator of Abia Central Senatorial District and former Governor of Abia State, Sen. T.A. Orji, whom he extolled in flowery terms for his difficult but statesmanly decision to step down from politics and nurture the young ones. He promised not to disappoint the people but will ensure they are proud of him because of his performance.
On his part, Pastor Ugochukwu Uchegbu admitted that the Speaker’s legacies are too lofty for him to fill but that he will do his best to sustain the legacies and ensure that the people’s welfare are always of utmost priority to him while in the Abia State House of Assembly. He promised to represent the people of Umuahia Central State Constituency with humility but vibrancy needed to attract projects and make sound laws for the overall benefits of everyone.
Dignitaries present at the event are Chief Charles Ogbonnaya (Evulogu), the Director General of the Speaker’s Campaign Council, Pastor Emeka Inyamah, the Coordjnator of the Council, Alhaji Suleiman Ukandu among others.
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