· Says electorate now, wiser
Orlu Equity Movement (OEM, a formidable socio-political group that is passionate about promoting the collective interests of Orlu LGA people has said in very clear terms, that much as it will not be business as usual in 2023, the issue of ranking being peddled by an incumbent lawmaker will not influence or persuade them to vote for an incompetent person whose performance has been so abysmal.
The group stated this in a release signed by its Coodinator, Comrade Chidozie Anuebu and made available to the press.
According to the release, “what Orlu people need at a time like this, is a leader and representative who has the vision to transform the area and the courage to speak out against injustice, tyranny, oppression and other dehumanizing aberrations when the need arises and not one who has continuously been non-challant about the pitiable plight of Orlu people who have for some time now, been victims of all kinds of physical, emotional and psychological trauma arising from the incessant extra-judicial killings of their loved ones on trumped up charges and allegations.”
The group further stated that, “it is ridiculous that the incumbent lawmaker for Orlu state constituency who has neither spoken nor drawn attention of relevant authorities to the bloodletting in his dormain has no other issue to campaign with except drumming up the issue of phantom ranking which currently does not hold water, having been overtaken by time, circumstances and events.
The Orlu electorate that are now wiser, more politically conscious would not for any reason be deceived or hoodwinked with such porous and sentimental gimmicks.”
“How can a person who has not for once convened a meeting or created an opportunity to interact with his constituents, to at least acquaint them with his activities as their representative suddenly wake up from slumber and start talking about ranking as an advantage for him to be given opportunity for another 4-year jamboree at the expense of the people he abandoned to their fate.”
“Besides, the phantom ranking clause he is desperately trying to sail with in the absence of concrete achievements was repealed in 2011 when late Hon Ben Uwajumogu who represented Ihitte-Uboma and Hon Donatus Ozoemena who represented Oru West became Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Imo State house of assembly respectively, in their first tenure.”
The group also recalled that some of Hon Pascal Okolie’s colleagues who are first timers are either holding or had held principal positions in the state assembly.
“It is also on record that Hon Okey Onyekanma representing Mbaitoli state constituency was made the Deputy Speaker in his first tenure while, Hon Marcel Odunze who represented Orlu Local Government Area in the House of Assembly was the Chief Whip as a first timer.”
“In view of the afore-said, Orlu Equity Forum views Hon Pascal Okolie’s reference to the ranking clause as a ploy to rubbish the zoning arrangement that had been sustained since 1999, to the extent that, if an Isu man is the house of assembly member, an Orsu person would automatically become Chairman of the local government council.
This arrangement was designed to ensure unity, peace, harmony and mutual co-existence among the component groups. But as it is now, Pascal Okolie’s unbridled ambition will worsen the already tensed situation in Orlu, if not properly addressed.”
Continuing, the group stated that, “the ability to respect agreements at the expense of personal desire and ambition, as exhibited by Hon Marcel Odunze is a mark of integrity and credibility that distinguishes men of repute from desperadoes.”
“It is also an insult on the sensibilities of the Isu clan that the incumbent lawmaker is flying the ranking kite to enable him usurp what rightfully belongs to them. He should also not think that the Isu man who willingly and honourably gave way for an Orsu candidate to contest was naïve.”
The release however, urged Isu people to remain calm and peaceful as the group would not want anything that would heat up the polity.
It also urged Pascal Okolie to make public his achievements “except representing a constituency that has not only become comparatively retrogressive but also a theatre of war, sorrow and bloodletting. Let him tell the people what he has said or done to address the insecurity and related issues ravaging his constituency and her people”, the group stated.
