· Described as jamboree
The purported endorsement of Hon Chike Okafor, presently representing Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma and Ehime Mbano federal constituency of Imo State in the federal House of Representatives by some leaders in Ihitte-Uboma has been described as a political jamboree that will not achieve the desired result.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Amb Samuel Chijioke from Ihitte, Isreal Nwachukwu from Uboma, Obaji Chinaka Stanley (Uboma) and Chuks Aloy from Ihitte and made available to the press.
The statement which expressed disappointment at the way and manner the purported endorsement was done and the fact that no notable person or political figure from the area witnessed the purported endorsement stated that, “Recently, we have been inundated with news of the endorsement of Hon Chike Okafor’s 3rd term bid by members of the Ihitte Uboma APC.
“Ordinarily, we expected to see the who is who in the APC in Ihitte Uboma attend the event at least to lay credence to the fact that it is a unanimous decision of the leaders of the party in the LGA.
“Why are the known stakeholders of the APC in Ihitte Uboma not party to the kangaroo endorsement of Hon Chike Okafor for a 3rd term?
“Surprisingly, even the man that his house was used as venue for the event, Hon. Mark Uchendu tactically avoided being present to avoid being counted as party to the said endorsement.
“How about the Special Adviser to the Governor on Power and Energy, Comrade Sam Nwaire who wasn’t also on ground. Why did he also choose not to attend, or is he no longer a member of the APC?
“Again, the Honorable Member representing Ihitte Uboma in the Imo House of Assembly, Hon Micheal Onyemaechi Njoku who is also of the APC extraction did not attend the jamboree event.
“More so, former Imo North senatorial aspirant under the APC, Chief Mrs Chidinma Uwajumogu, who is a sister to late distinguished Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu was also copiously missing at the event.”
Continuing, the release said, “Hon. Mrs Blessing Nwaoba, a leader in the Ihitte Uboma APC and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor was also not present and wasn’t seen anywhere around.
“Should we also inquire on why Barr Ikenna Chukwuocha, Barr Uche Konkwo, Hon Bonventure Kafor, Hon Augonus Kekeocha, Dr Harold Onumo, Alampaka, the Ibezim’s of Umuihi etc who are all leaders of the party choose to distance and disassociate themselves from the said endorsement.
“So, we are moved to ask, who are the leaders of the APC in Ihitte Uboma that endorsed Chike Okafor for his obnoxious 3rd term bid?
“From the pictures and videos we have seen online, the few individuals the Obowo born banker turned politician could bring together to announce support for his inordinate ambition are all fortune seekers and fair-weather politicians who do not have the capacity to win elections for anyone.
“And as such, it is derogatory to attribute to such persons as leaders of the party considering the array of fine political gladiators with proven political experience and record that abound in Ihitte Uboma APC.
“However, in all modesty, the duo of Hon Simon Ebegbulem and Hon Okey Anukwuem who are serving commissioners in the government of Governor Hope Uzodinma do not also have the capacity to win elections for anybody as both are political returnees who are not on ground with the people, and without any known structure in Ihitte Uboma that can bring votes for any candidate in an election.
“The truth is that Hon Chike Okafor is on the frolic of his own and only being jobbed by political con men, and he knows it. He’s aware that the real movers and shakers of Ihitte Uboma politics even those in his political party cannot and will never support his 3rd term ambition, first because he has performed abysmally and failed in delivering dividends of representation to our people, except for the uncompleted buildings in Ihitte Uboma that he labeled as cottage hospitals even after collecting monies budgeted for the projects in full.
“Secondly, 3rd term is foreign and unacceptable within the Federal Constituency as it is widely accepted that the turn of Ihitte Uboma to produce the next Federal House Member which is the position of greater majority of the good people of Okigwe South Federal Constituency.
“Therefore, we appeal to the unsuspecting general public to discountenance the news making rounds that Ndi Ihitte Uboma have endorsed Hon Chike Okafors 3rd term bid as such is not true in its entirety.”
