The Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu, has promised to prioritize constituency projects in Abiriba if elected as the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in 2023.
The lawmaker who stated this while addressing an enlarged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders forum of Abiriba extraction in a parley held in Umuahia on Thursday highlighted his achievements as the lawmaker representing Ohafia South State Constituency at the 7th Abia State House of Assembly. He assured the people of accessible leadership that will carry along all the communities that make up the federal constituency. Recalling his cordial relationship with Abiriba community which dates back to his days as a student of Onarubi Technical College, Abiriba, he called on PDP delegates from Abiriba to adopt him as one of their own assuring that they will not regret it.
“I have enjoyed great relationship with the wonderful people of Abiriba since my days as a student of Onarubi Technical College, Abiriba till date, and my assurance to you is that when elected to represent our people at the Green Chamber, I will start my first Constituency project in Abiriba as well as give every project in Abiriba priority attention”, he said.
Responding, the leader of PDP in Abiriba and Pro Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Chief Mba Okoronkwo Ukariwo, described the step taken by the state lawmaker in consulting with Abiriba delegates as the right step considering the strategic position of the community in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency. He advised Uchendu to expand his consultation to other communities in the constituency saying, “as brothers we will collectively decide on who is the best candidate among the aspirants for the position and also take guidance from the Leader of the party in the state, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu”.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, described the Deputy speaker as one who has done well for his Ohafia South State Constituency with visible projects, but lamented that despite the fact that the lawmaker is representing Ohafia Local Government Area as a Deputy speaker, he did not site any project in Abiriba which is also part of the people he is holding their mandate as Deputy Speaker. He noted that the office which he has come to seek the support of Abiriba PDP members naturally should be zoned to Abiriba as the only community that has not taken turn to represent the constituency at the Green Chamber since the creation of the world but assured the aspirant that whatever the Governor decides, as the leader of the party in the state, is what the members of PDP in Abiriba will do. According to him, “we will wait for the Governor to provide guidance and if it favors you we will surely support you from primaries to the main election. This constituency has confidence in the Governor to always make the best decision for the greater good of the people of Abia State, including Abiriba, and we encourage you to continue to consult along with others and also pray to God“, he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Dr Okorafor Ukiwe, Princess Grace Agbara and former Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chief Tony Kalu, encouraged the lawmaker to continue reaching out to all the delegates and communities in Arochukwu/Ohafia constituency, and be assured that if it is agreed that he will represent the party that Abiriba PDP, as a united people, will give him all their delegates’ votes and also deliver the community for him during the general elections.
Other stakeholders who attended the meeting include Dr Chris Nwokocha, Hon Okoro Okeke, Chief Eleanya Okoji, Hon Edward Kalu Okocha, Chief Frank Okoroafor Egwuonwu, Chief Ejibe Kalu, Chief Otah Odim, Zonal PDP Women Leader, Mrs Joy Ndukwe, Hon. Nelly Onwuka, Hon Nwabueze Aru, Ezinne Ada Obasi, Comrade Paul Kalu, PDP ward Chairmen from Abiriba and other elected party executives as well as elected Councillors from Abiriba, among others
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