By Ogu Bundu Nwadike
This is a tribute to the amiable lawmakers elected under the big, strong and reliable umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State into the national and State Assembly respectively. Among them are one Senator and five House of Representatives members at the National Assembly, with six Imo State House of Assembly members.
They include: (1) Distinguished Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, representing Imo East (Owerri Zone) Senatorial District in the Senate; (2) Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency; (3) Rt. Hon. Bede Eke, representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala; (4) Hon. Emeka Chinedu, representing Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency and (5) Rt. Hon. Jerry Alagaboso, representing Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency.
At the Imo State House of Assembly, we have Imo PDP representatives, including, (1) Rt. Hon. Barr. Okey Onyekanma, immediate past Speaker, representing Mbaitoli State Constituency; (2) Hon. Barr. Anyadike Nwosu, Minority Leader; representing Ezinihitte; (3) Hon. Barr. Frank Ugboma, Deputy Minority Leader, representing Oguta; (4) Hon. Philip Ejiogu, representing Owerri North; (5) Hon. Toochi Okereke, representing Ngor Okpala; and (6) Hon. Solomon Anukam, representing Owerri Municipal.
I call them our Wonderful Eleven. That’s because when, on January 14, 2020, after Supreme Court made Uzodimma governor, and they had the heavy push and pressure to decamp and run after Uzodimma’s mirage millions, they saw the bigger picture and resisted Eve’s apple and Judas’ temptation, and remained in Imo PDP. Truly, they’re the Wonderful Eleven! May God continue to be with them and grant them more blessings!
Today, they’re known as men of tested and proven integrity. They’re men of great character and good conduct. They’re true men of the people. They care much more about the overall good of Imo State and Imo people than selfish pecuniary benefits. They’re the true patriotic representatives of Ndimo!
There’s no doubt that they’re proud of themselves, their great accomplishments and achievements. They’re proud of cleaning tears and generating laughter, joy and happiness among Imo people. The list of the good things they’re is quite long!
Their families, friends and associates are proud of them. Imo PDP is very proud of them. Imo people are proud of them. Nigerians are proud of them!
Having been privileged to personally observe their empowerment programmes recently, specifically those of Distinguished Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, and Rt. Hon. Okey Onyekanma, I reported to Imo PDP and Imo people that our elected leaders in the State and National Assembly are doing our great party proud. Thanks to them and glory to God!
In the past few weeks, it has been donation of electric power transformers galore. The mission is “Let there be light!” Imo PDP lawmakers want Imo people to enjoy public electricity supply. At least ten communities got transformers which they didn’t have before now. One happy observation was the team spirit among the lawmakers, using Distinguished Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, and Rt. Hon. Okey Onyekanma as points of contact. Imo PDP legislators are a great team of a great party!
In addition to the donation of the brand new 300KVA and brand new 500KVA transformers, I observed that the lawmakers also graded some rural roads in their respective constituencies to make easy vehicular and pedestrian movements.
Special gifts of wheel chairs were made to some special citizens by Distinguished Senator Onyewuchi in one of his empowerment programmes in one of his constituencies in Owerri Zone Senatorial District that he represents.
Also special was the micro-cash grants and interest-free loans scheme initiated by Rt. Hon. Okey Onyekanma, who mapped out multi-millions for thousands of beneficiaries, including particularly indigent petty traders in open markets in various communities in Mbaitoli LGA that he represents.
On a very memorable occasion a couple of weeks ago or thereabouts, an incident which the people rated a miracle happened. Rt. Hon. Onyekanma sponsored the restoration of a damaged transformer in Lawa Ishi Ogbaku in Mbaitoli LGA and while he addressed the people on the commissioning ceremony, there was light! Yes, he brought light to Lawa Ishi Ogbaku!!
According to the natives, who are direct beneficiaries from the restored light that was the first time that the community received public power supply in a very long time! The joy and happiness of Lawa Ogbaku indigenes knew no bounds!
How many shall we count and how many shall just assume as part of the great work Imo PDP legislators at State and National levels are doing to better the lives of Imo people? They’re just numerous!
One thing I noted about the current phase of infrastructural development equipment and machinery, coupled with the financial empowerment programmes of Imo PDP is that they’ll benefit everybody irrespective of party affiliations and differences. They’re programmes and projects that are shared to all people in the community, without discrimination.
For instance, the roads and the transformers, and the electricity that was restored; all will be for the enjoyment of everybody including PDP, APC, APGA and other political parties.
The biggest transformer, a 500KVA, was donated to Amawuihe community at Ubommiri in Mbaitoli LGA by Distinguished Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi. Will it serve only PDP leaders and members in Amawuihe Ubommiri? No!
Even Rt. Hon. Okey Onyekanma’s micro-cash grants and interest-free loans were given to the people of Mbaitoli LGA without discrimination of their party association and affiliation.
I witnessed Rt. Hon. Onyekanma’s system of distribution of the sparkling white envelopes containing his micro-cash grants at Orie Ogbaku Market and Ekeoha Ekwereazu Ogwa Market respectively.
He never asked about the party the lucky recipients belonged to. And I noted that on each occasion it was an impromptu surprise visit to the markets. So, there was no way, it could have been arranged for only PDP members to get the largesse. It was simply an honest, transparent and accountable process of show of love and care for the people!
The wild chorus of “Everywhere You Go, Okey Is Okay” and “Okey Is Okay Everywhere You Go” also testified to the general reception accorded him in all parts of Mbaitoli LGA that he represents.
It must therefore suffice to say that just as the three legislators referenced in foregoing paragraphs in this short essay are thinking about the good of Imo people, so also are the other legislators not mentioned playing various roles to see that they’re providing those things the current unpopular regime in Imo State doesn’t want to provide for Imo people. To God be the glory!
As Imo PDP Wonderful Eleven journey into their second year in the 9th Legislature, Imo PDP will continue to boast about their forthrightness and vision for the good of the people. They’re true democrats!
The good prayer is that as they go about donating infrastructural development equipment and machinery, as they go about grading and tarring Imo rural roads, as they go about distributing micro-cash grants and giving interest-free loans, as they go about bridging the gap between this current anti-people regime and Imo people, may Almighty God continue to bless them all and their families with long life, good health sound mind, and all-round prosperity. In Jesus’ name! Power to the people!!!
By God’s grace Imo State must be rebuilt!
*Nwadike is the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State.