– Group tells detractors
Sequel to the alleged fraudulent plot by a group led by one Okey Opiah, to initiate the recall of the member representing Oguta state constituency in the Imo House of Assembly, a socio-cultural organization in the area, the Association for Better Government (ASOBEG) has risen up in defense of the legislator, whom they referred to as “a vibrant, active and performing law maker”.
The association, in a release, signed by Mr. Obinna Kenneth and Prince Okara, chairman and secretary of the association respectively, described the interview granted to an Owerri based Newspaper by Okey Opiah, as deliberate misrepresentation of facts, aimed at hoodwinking and misinforming the people for selfish and pecuniary reasons”.
They described Okey Opiah as a serial blackmailer, political jobber and desperado, who though claims to be from Oguta but does not know Hon. Ezediaro, hence the photograph he presented and used for the questionable publication, was that of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contestant for the state constituency seat, Mr. William Ejiakor. This, they said shows that the sponsors of the deceitful and misleading write up are not conversant with events and developments in Oguta.
According to them, ASOBEG as a duly registered association that is passionately committed to ensuring that Oguta sons and daughters who occupy political offices, contribute towards enhancing the welfare of the people by providing the dividends of democracy, said they have closely monitored Hon. Ezediaro’s performance in the house, since his emergence in 2015.
“Hon. Ezediaro’s presence has been tremendously felt in the hallowed chambers. He has sponsored several people oriented bills and motions that include that on the recovery of land rent owed the Imo State government by the oil companies and multinationals. This they said has increased the revenue base of the state government. “Hon. Ezediaro, as a pragmatic young man is very accessible and is always at home with his people as he lives and operates from his family compound at No. 2 Barr. Ezediaro Street Oguta. He has two operational constituency offices, one at Oguta LGA head quarters and one at Obidi Agwa.
He holds constituency briefing every Christmas, where he showcases his score card for Oguta sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to see last year’s event was at Egbuoma while that of this year will hold at the local government head quarters. He, in line with his campaign slogan, “moving Oguta beyond oil” empowered over 5,000 youths, in his “Oguta Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), which is aimed at training and empowering Oguta youths in various skill acquisition programmes. Most of the beneficiaries are presently undergoing training in designated centres within the community and environ”.
The first batch of graduands will be empowered during the next constituency briefing coming up in December this year” The group regretted that Okey Opiah who claims to be an activist and community leader exhibited obvious ignorance of the constitutional role of a political party and how it functions. That Hon. Henry Ezediaro contested and won election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) does not make him the owner of the party. He can only advise the LGA exco on the best way forward but the party ultimately decides on what it think is best for the party. Hon. Henry Uzoma Ezediaro represents the entire Oguta LGA and not just Oguta community”.
They maintained that APC has a functional constitution which all structures of the party abide by. “There is no discord between Oguta LGA exco and Hon. Ezediaro we therefore advise Okey Opiah and his cohorts that their purported recall agenda is nothing but a ruse, an effort in futility, meant to deceive the people of Oguta LGA. The design will not see the light of day because our association is solidly entrenched, strategically positioned, and has all it takes to unmask the proponents of the ill fated and already failed recall bid which is a cheap attempt at seeking undue relevance and financial patronage. These blackmailers and idle political jobbers are advised to seek more honourable means of livelihood. We hereby pass implicit vote of confidence on and also pledge our unalloyed support and solidarity to our articulate, vibrant and performing legislator for Oguta State constituency in the Imo House of Assembly, Hon. Henry Ezediaro. We wish the good and amiable people of Oguta LGA well in all their worthy endeavours”.
