The pause of Okigwe zone beats very heavily with mixed reactions of excitement and apprehension which also dominated both the political landscape and cyber space in many fora as youths under the aegis of Okigwe Youth Progressive Forum (In conjunction with Okigwe Prosperity Movement ) across the 6LGAs in the zone spoke with one voice as they passionately appealed to the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress , the enlarged state executives and critical stakeholders of the governing party to listen to the yearnings of the youths who unanimously and unequivocally demanded that Prince Chikwem Onuoha should be given to ndi Okigwe as a better , credible , reliable and trusted replacement for the late Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu in the forthcoming October 31, 2020, bye-election for Imo North Senatorial District.
The youth body ably led by Comr.Chidinma Onyenagubor , converged at the Imo State Government House , Owerri, in unionism to demonstrate their uncommon solidarity and strong belief in the Shared Prosperity Political Ideology of the Sen. Hope Uzodinma led- Administration as over 300 foot soldiers of Prince Chikwem Onuoha chanted different solidarity and victory songs for both the governor and one of his ‘political beloved sons’ in Okigwe Zone.
The highly motivated youths and volunteer support groups, majority of whom have stuck with Prince Chikwem Onuoha over the years because of his politics of humanity and strong presence at the grassroots , after the peaceful solidarity|thank you rally in Owerri for the lmo State governor , Sen. Hope Uzodinma , proceeded to Anara Community School (St. Innocent field ) being venue for the watershed endorsement ritual as they were heartily received by other youths from Okigwe South and Okigwe North Federal Constituencies within Imo North Senatorial District.
However , with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s sudden release of its timetable and guidelines for the October 31, 2020, bye -election in Okigwe zone last Wednesday, the atmosphere of political jittery that gripped a number of the gladiators for the coveted vacant seat confirmed the fears of many close political analysts and pundits of Okigwe politics that some of these political gladiators and power mongers were neither prepared nor on ground, but relied on their ‘Abuja contacts and network ‘ to be handed over the party ticket. I am sure such hidden agenda will not fly, because the governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma is “a chip off the old block” ; an experienced and maverick parliamentarian of note.
Outside and beyond that , Prince Chikwem Onuoha , on the contrary , a people -oriented and development driven political leader , in the past five months or so , had traversed the length and breadth of the 6LGAs that constitute Imo North Senatorial District ; alongside his team visited kindreds , villages , communities and wards not just because another election is in the offing , but rather because selfless community service runs in his leadership DNA. And this bold assertion was made when he stood out as the first and only ‘now aspirant’ who earlier distributed food relief materials , grants for small scale businesses and COVID-19 sanitization kits during the lockdown.
These and many other exemplary leadership gestures formed part of the decision of Okigwe youths , market women , churches and student union bodies across very institutions in Imo State, to speak with one voice as they unanimously endorsed Prince Chikwem Onuoha as a better , credible and trusted replacement for the late Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu.
In Okigwe zone , Chikwem Onuoha , being a grassroots political leader , understands better than others , the pause , impulse , heartbeats , body and money language, challenges , yearnings and aspirations of his people; as he passionately advocates for urgent need to fill the gap of infrastructural development and lack of federal presence in the zone occasioned by the sudden demise of Distinguished Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu.
At the Anara Community School, youth presidents drawn from the 6LGAs and other respected community leaders took turns to speak very glowingly about Chikwem Onuoha whom they described as ‘the best among the rest ‘ and ‘good product that sells itself’ given his track records of community service delivery , capacity building and youth development.
At the mention of his name, a kind of noise erupted !
Uncontrollable voices that were chanting victory songs from their distant stands and canopies:
“Hope Uzodinma is a goal” “He’s a goal” He’s a goal” “He’s a goal.”
“Chikwem is a goal!” He’s a goal” “He’s a goal”
Surprisingly , the said aspirant wasn’t even in attendance as this reporter gathered that the meeting was organised and sponsored with combined efforts of his close political associates and youth volunteer groups. A demonstration of their genuine love for and conviction of the Chikwem Onuoha brand of grassroots politics.
During his remarks , Comr. Chidinma Onyenagubor , Convener of Okigwe Youth Progressive Forum, reiterated the stand of the youths of Okigwe zone for a youthful, useful , vibrant and articulate senator and not the same recycled old politicians that have held the zone captives over the years .
He also lampooned a number of the former federal lawmakers who performed less than expectations when they had the opportunity to bring home the much expected dividends of democracy to their people .
Onyenagubor opined that, “Anybody above 50 and 60 years should kindly go and relax and give the younger generation some space to thrive.”
The outspoken youth leader expressed confidence that Chikwem Onuoha represents the yearnings of Okigwe contemporary political leadership and also has the capacity to deliver having learnt the ropes of leadership as an international trained lobbyist , negotiator and communicator ; the three basic requirements for a good lawmaker .
On a similar note , a respected community leader and chieftain of the APC , Hon (Dr.) Ekwegh Mitchel Chijioke , admonished Okigwe people to always pray for governor Hope Uzodinma in his unrelenting efforts to reconstruct , rehabilitate and recovery Imo State for the good of all and posterity . He also eulogized the governor for appointing sons and daughters of Okigwe zone into his cabinet .
A rather blunt and courageous Chief Ekwegh before the watchful eyes of Okigwe people and the Nigerian media endorsed Chikwem Onuoha as the best bet for Imo North Senatorial District. And advised the people to prove their support for the young political strategist and youth friendly leader with their voters cards.
Chief (Dr.) Batos Nwadike , Special Adviser Political Matters to Sen. Hope Uzodinma , on behalf of the governor , sent heart warming greetings from His Excellency assuring them that the government of the day means well for the good people of Okigwe zone. He however , strongly advised them to identify and vote for the best candidate that will raise the political bar of Okigwe zone to its former place of pride in Imo state and Nigeria at large.
Oyi of Igboland , as he is popularly known , is a political strategist who always identifies with the moving train as many background and close observers of Okigwe politics have been making frantic gazes as to know the body language of the governor who in a recent APC Stakeholders ‘Meeting in Government House passed a resolution that a committee should be formed to present a consensus candidate for the party ahead of the October 31, 2020, INEC scheduled time table for Imo North Senatorial Bye -election.
With the heart warming solidarity and support for Prince Chikwem Onuoha, I see Okigwe people clamping hands for Jesus at the end of this political exercise by the grace of God. As for the people , they are willing and ready to make a strong statement as the day draws closer.
