THE people of Bende and Isuikwuato local government areas of Abia State have re-affirmed their total commitment and support for the senatorial bid of their illustrious son and former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. They have therefore pledged to vote for him en-mass during the March 5 re-run senatorial election for Abia North zone.
The people made the pledge when Kalu visited parts of Bende and Isuikwuato local government areas Thursday during the second day of his campaign tour of Abia North to galvanize their support and seek for their vote during the election.
The former governor’s kick-off point was Bende with his first port of call being Ubibia from where he later moved to Nkalagwu and Ndiwo all in Itumbuzor clan.
From Itumbuzor, Kalu’s convoy moved to Okporoenyi, Bende and Ozuitem. In all the places visited, the people recalled what Kalu did for them when he was governor of the state.
While some of the communities recalled how Kalu provided electricity and water for them, others said he gave them free education and free medical service, while others claimed the former governor empowered their youths, stressing that such had made them resolve to vote for him during the re-run election on March 5.
The people also recalled how Kalu gave employment to their sons and daughters including bringing to limelight, those who were in political doldrums, adding their decision to vote for him was not only a way of saying thanks but also a way of paying him back for his generosity and good deeds when he was governor.
“There is hardly any politician of note in Abia State today, I’m not talking only about Bende or Abia North that you did not make, who did not go through your tutelage, therefore it was not surprising that the people of the area across party lines recently endorsed you.
“We have been consistent in our support for OUK since 1999; we’ve changed and will never change, but will show this love and support once again during the re-run. We will vote for you en-mass, what we are only asking for is that our votes be protected”, a community leader from Isuikwuato stated.
The PPA chairman in Bende, Barrister Perfect Okorie while describing the former governor as an illustrious son of the area said it would be antithetical for anybody from the area not to lend his support for Kalu.
“Our son’s charisma and what he did for his people when he was governor placed him poles above his opponents and it will be out of place for anybody from Bende not to lend him support”, he added.
At Ward 13, Umuasua, Isikwuato local government which the campaign arrived at 6.30pm, the people expressed happiness over what they said Kalu did for them when he was governor which they said was reason they waited for him since HYPERLINK “http://9.am/”9.am.
They commended the judgment of the Owerri Appeal Court which ordered for the re-run election which they said gave them the opportunity to show their love once more for Kalu by voting for him come March 5.
At other political wards in Isikwuato where the former governor campaigned till 9.30pm, the story was the same as the people who trooped out in their numbers, promised their unflinching support and assured him of their votes during the re-run, citing his antecedents when he was governor.
Speaking at Itumbuzor, Kalu said it was during his administration that the Bende/ Itumuzor road was reconstructed; stressing that his only regret in this regard was that the road did not spread to Ubibia, an anomaly he said would be corrected if he is voted into the senate.
At Bende town, Kalu said it was during his administration that the area got electricity and water and built the Ozuitem/ Bende road, linking the town to other parts of the local government.
He recalled how his administration gave free education and free medical care for the people, but was pained that the laudable programmes he initiated which gave succour to the people were immediately stopped as he left office by his successor.
“I introduced those programmes to give succour to my people, but surprisingly, those who took over from me did not have the interest of the people at heart and they stopped those programmes and the people are worst for it”, he stated.
Kalu said if elected senator, he was going to re-enact and re-jig those programmes that put smiles on the faces of the people of the state which made them to love him, same love which he said he still enjoys across the state till tod
0 comments :
Post a Comment