By Juliana Nwachukwu
Stakeholders in Onitsha South Local Government have continued to hold meetings to brainstorm and strategize ahead of the gubernatorial election scheduled for November 8, with a focus on ensuring a smooth electoral process and addressing pertinent issues in the area.
Speaking, the immediate past President Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Obi Chukwuemekalum Udodeme disclosed that the meeting was a tripartite meeting, reconciliation, meeting of the stakeholders and burial plan of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) former Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government, Late Sylvester Ezeokenwa.
According to Udodeme,”The essence of the meeting is to work as one body, one united indivisible family, when we work as a team, as one family, definitely there would be positive result. As the Mayor has taught it wise to hold this stakeholders meeting monthly, in it you would see people who are aggrieved, so we continue to reconcile, from now till October, we would achieve 100 percent reconciliation.
“No war is known as a sweet one, all war are fought at the battle ground, but I think APGA as a party has an edge, we have been here for a very long time and all the governors produced under APGA did well, Gov.Soludo is currently doing very well and has impacted in all the sectors simultaneously, there are development everywhere visually in all the local governments and communities, I think he would be reelected.
The Adama of Oraukwu charged stakeholders to put in effort, emphasizing that hard work is the key to reaping rewards. He stressed that there are no shortcuts, and that tangible results would only come after diligent work, particularly with the return of Governor Soludo. He therefore urged everyone to be proactive and work towards achieving concrete results, which would ultimately yield benefits.
In his words, the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon. Emeka Asoanya, expressed his joy on what he saw on the ground, recalled that last month’s meeting witnessed bitterness among party members, he however stated that the reconciliation steps yielded positive results.
He further reiterated that November 8 is what is facing them now, he also maintained that the structures of winning election are already on ground if you know how to win an election, he added that two cardinal individuals to harmonize that structure are the LG Mayor and the LG party chairman.
As a member of the Central Committee for the burial of the late Chief Sylvester Ezeokenwa, Hon. Asoanya reminded that the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman is the chief mourner outside the Ezeokenwa family. He reflected on the late Chief’s remarkable dedication, noting how he served under four LG chairmen with youthful vigor and continued attending party meetings even after losing a leg. Hon. Asoanya emphasized the need for a befitting burial from the people of Onitsha South.
Earlier in his speech, the Onitsha South Local Government Mayor, Hon Emeka Orji stated that he convoked the meeting for the coming gubernatorial election which he has resolved to be doing monthly to achieve a lot before the election day.
He emphasized on the need for Onitsha South APGA to win the election, stating that the area is the most benefitted LG in Governor Soludo’s infrastructural developments, that the governor must be appreciated by reflecting him.
The Mayor revealed that he discussed post-election plans with the Governor, requesting 100km of roads for Onitsha South LG, along with drainage and street lighting projects. He admonished the stakeholders, to come together, to eschew bitterness and to plan on what would give the party victory because the election is near.
APGA Chairman, Chief Uche Umennakenyi, told aspirants vying for Onitsha South LG chairmanship seat that there’s no vacancy, emphasizing that the sitting Mayor is the only recognized leader. He advised those seeking solutions to channel their complaints to the Council Mayor.
The former Deputy Chairman, Hon.Mrs Bengil Nnebue, Chief Gibson Igwebuike, a stakeholder and PG Woliwo Community, Chief Ifeanyi Onwuegbuchunam stated that the monthly stakeholders meeting is a welcome development which would yield a very positive result towards Nov 8 gubernatorial election.
The trio commended Mayor Orji for his outstanding performance in the area especially for his underground campaign which he has achieved by peacefully, freely and transparently conducting election among the four communities in the area thereby facing the attention of most of the constituents to becoming an APGA members.
- Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
