· Committed to restoring peace, security, economic activites
Some progressives from Orlu local government area of Imo State who are passionately committed to the welfare and socio-economic development of the area and her people, over the weekend in Owerri,the state capital unveiled a group known as SAVE ORLU MANDATE ORGANIZATION,SOMO that is geared towards restoring peace, security and normalcy in the area to enable the people heave a sigh of relief.
Speaking during the inauguration of the group, the Founder, Comrade Precious Nwadike frowned at the silence of the elected representatives which according to him, has worsened the security challenges in the area.
He stated that, “only those who are either enablers, conspirators or weaklings that will keep quiet or stay aloof at a time like this when patriots and genuine leaders of the people are expected to rise up to the challenge of working assiduously towards ensuring a lasting peace, security and normalcy that are cardinal indices for robust economic activities are restored in the interest of the electorate whose mandate they hold in trust.”
Comrade Nwadike who is Imo state Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, regretted that, “Orlu local government area which used to be very peaceful has suddenly become a theatre of war”.He blamed the prevailing security challenges in the area on unemployment occasioned by failure of leadership and attendant factors.
Comrade Nwadike, a former National President of Orluzurumee Youth Assembly and presently the chairman of the organization’s Board of Trustees said, “there is no justification whatsoever, for any elected representative of the people who has neither condemned nor made any concrete move towards addressing the insecurity in Orlu to seek re-election in 2023.What is expected of the electorate is to enquire from whoever that comes to seek their support what he or she has done towards curbing the heightening insecurity in Orlu.”
He further noted that, “some of our elected representatives have not been to their homes for a very long time. They are canvassing for re-election from their comfort zones in Owerri and other places while those whose support they are seeking have been excessively traumatized, killed, deprived and rendered homeless in their ancestral homes.
Comrade Nwadike stressed that, “ensuring maximum security is everybody’s responsibility and the first step to be taken towards achieving it is to address the issue of unemployment. “The National Bureau for stastics in its 2020 report rated Imo state as headquarters of unemployment with 48.7% of unemployment rate while it’s neighbouring state, Anambra had just 13.1%.
“The recent developments have confirmed that Orlu zone, particularly Orlu and Orsu local government areas are also the headquarters of unemployment in Imo state.”
He insisted that,“the questionable silence of our elected representatives has become suspicious and inexplicable. Besides, at a time like this, diplomacy should be the cardinal issue, hence all kinds of unguarded utterances and outbursts that will heat up the polity should be avoided.”
The high point of the occasion was the appointment of Comrade Nnamdi Achi as the Co-ordinator of the group.
Comrade Achi in his acceptance speech said his primary focus and responsibility is to work with the leaders and stakeholders of Orlu local government area to ensure the emergence of Comrade Precious Nwadike as the next lawmaker for Orlu state constituency.
This is because, at a time like this, and looking at Nwadike’s experience and antecedent, he is the only person among the lot who has what it takes to address the myriad of challenges before the people.
He promised to work with ward Chairmen and other stakeholders to ensure that peace and tranquility return to Orlu in the interest of the people who have suffered so much.
He frowned at the attitude of some politicians who have reduced the electorate to a point that they think and believe that money can buy their votes and conscience, so that during election, they will vote for the highest bidder.”
He revealed that he once over heard a lawmaker bragging that he would not interact or convene any meeting with the delegates as he has saved enough money to sway and buy them over at the right time.
“This is an insult on the delegates who should know that the money that would soon be shared among them is their constituency projects that ought to be deployed towards developing and sitting projects that will create employment and enhance the welfare of the youths and our unborn children”, says Achi.
