Traditional rulers in the nine Local Government Areas of Owerri zone have unanimously endorsed the All Progressive Congress Candidate for Imo East Senatorial zone, Prince Alex Mbata who, they said is the most outstanding and qualified person to represent the zone in the upper chamber of the national assembly come 2023, in view of his people-oriented antecedents over time.
The Deputy Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman, Owerri Zonal Council of Traditional rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze David Akujuobi Osnagwu who stated this while addressing Journalists in his office recently, expressed dismay that some of those who represented the zone at the senate were pre-occupied with their selfish interests, thereby enriching themselves and their cronies at the expense of the people whose collective interests they mortgaged on the altar of self aggrandizement.
Eze Osnagwu noted that Prince Mbata as a successful businessman, philanthropist and employer of labour has contributed immensely to the socio-economic and infrastructural development of Owerri zone with his personal resources and would do more if elected as Senator for Owerri zone.
According to him, ‘’Prince Alex Mbata’s emergence as Senator for Imo East senatorial district in 2023 will definitely be the dawn of a glorious era. As a private person, he has constructed dualized standard roads with traffic lights, built and donated class room blocks to different communities, organized the most elaborate empowerment programme that will remain a reference point for a very long time, in addition to donating a huge amount to the state government to enable it ameliorate the plight of citizens at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the attendant lock down’’.
Responding to a question, Eze Akujuobi who is the traditional ruler of Awaka Ancient Kingdom in Owerri North LGA, further stated that the decision to endorse Prince Alex Mbata was taken after extensive deliberation and thorough assessment of all the candidates in the Owerri zone senatorial race, adding that the endorsement is aimed at nipping rancor and acrimony in the bud. ‘’Besides we need somebody who will assist our pragmatic and performing Governor to achieve set objectives and dispense the dividends of democracy to the people of Owerri zone and Imo State at large. And the best option among lot is Prince Alex Mbata who has been doing that long before now’’.
‘’We have been disappointed severally in the past and would not want to experience another 4 year tenure of inept, purposeless and abysmal performance. For instance, I don’t even know the Senator representing Owerri zone currently and our people have not felt his impact in any way’’.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Owerri North Council of Traditional rulers and Secretary, Owerri Zonal Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Jude Chidi Nwaogu, (Chidiebube I of Egbelu, Obube) also in Owerri North LGA a fellow of the Institute of Charted Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) stated that, traditional rulers in Owerri zone have in clear and unequivocal terms endorsed the senatorial ambition of Prince Alex Mbata who, according to him, is a man of impeccable character, unblemished track record and verifiable record of landmark achievements that have in different ways impacted positively on the people of Owerri zone and beyond.
‘’ It is on record that Prince Alex Mbata’s mother of all empowerment programmes added value to hundreds of our youths who were provided with reasonable means of livelihood, unlike the façade called empowerment programme organized by other politicians just to score cheap political points. He did the road leading to his community, Ngwoma, the road leading to Protea Hotel and the zoological Garden, Nekede, among others in addition to working in synergy with the state government to enhance the welfare of the people by making financial contributions.
The monarch noted that, as traditional rulers they support the incumbent government, but that not withstanding, ‘’ Prince Mbata has proven himself worthy and capable of providing quality and effective representation to this end, we have resolved to take the message to the grass roots and at the same time praying that God grants him victory which will in turn, be victory for the people of Owerri in all aspects’’.
‘’Do you know that the last time that some of us saw the incumbent Senator for Owerri zone who incidentally is from Owerri North Local Government Area like us was during his campaign, prior to the 2019 election. This shows the gap between him and those at the grassroots who we also represent’’.
