By Steve Oko
The senatorial bid of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia North, received a major boost yesterday, as the entire youths in his Arochukwu Local Government Area, adopted him as their consensus candidate for the February 25 Abia North senatorial contest.
Sen. Ohuabunwa, according to the youths, stands out among all contestants for the seat, hence the adoption.
The youths who thronged out in their numbers from all communities in Arochukwu Local Government Area, resolved to put behind their individual political differences, and support one of their own who they said “is a seasoned Parliamentarian with experience”.
” We cannot let this golden opportunity slip off our hands. Blood is thicker than water; let’s support our own who stands out among others”, they declared.
The youths who regretted that Abia North had almost become voiceless at the Senate since Ohuabunwa’s exit in 2019, vowed to stop at nothing in ensuring his return to the red chamber at the forthcoming poll.
In his address at a grand reception to adopt the former Leader ECOWAS Parliament held at Aro Civil Centre, the Director General of All Arochukwu LGA Youths Forum, Hon. Godwin Nwaka, said that Ohuabunwa’s return to the Senate had become a common project of all Arochukwu youths home and abroad.
He said that the history of Ndigbo would not be complete without the historic role of the Aro kingdom, hence, “we will not let our presence in Nigeria politics to go into extinction”.
The Youth Leader recalled the vocality and quality contributions of Ohuabunwa while at the National Assembly, and how Abia North had been relegated to the background “since the mistake of 2019”, and urged the people to rise for a change.
He declared the resolve of Aro youths to mobilize all eligible voters in the entire five clans of Arochukwu for an unprecedented block vote for Ohuabunwa, adding that never was Aro people united behind their own in any elections than now.
In a remark on behalf of Ututu clan, the immediate-past Deputy Chairman of Arochukwu LGA, Hon. Cletus Nwankwo, said Sen. Ohuabunwa did not need to campaign at Ututu as the people had decided to give him their block votes.
He regretted that since his exit from the red chamber, Abia North had become voiceless and a laughing stock.
Similarly, Chief Tony Okoro who spoke for Isu clan said the mistake of 2019 would be corrected in the forthcoming election to restore the dignity of Abia North.
Other speakers including Dr Thom Ezeikpe for Ihechiowa, declared that Abia North would no longer be represented at the upper legislative chamber by an amateur and a ‘Ruga promoter.’
He regretted that “Arochukwu is now being accessed through Akwa Ibom because Ohuabunwa’s successor abandoned the Ohafia -Arochukwu federal road project attracted by Ohuabunwa.”
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the event and a prominent son of Arochukwu, Eustace Njaka, lawyer and an industrialist, described Ohuabunwa as a quintessential and visionary Parliamentarian who does not need any campaign in Arochukwu LGA.
He stressed the need for aggressive voter education for the less informed folks on the party logos to avoid waisting their ballots.
The Lagos-based industrialist and philanthropist, vowed to personally sponsor the sensitisation of the 1200 voters in his polling unit for a block vote for Ohuabunwa.
He also promised the block vote of the beneficiaries of his foundation who were also at the event in their numbers to appreciate Ohuabunwa for his continued monthly support to them.
Responding, Senator Ohuabunwa who was highly elated for the honour, thanked the youths for the unprecedented support for him, saying he had been greatly encouraged.
He promised not to discriminate against any Community both in Arochukwu and the entire Abia North as he returns to the Senate.
The former Senate Committee Chairman on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases, said that National Assembly members who voted against electronic transmission of election results should not be rewarded with a return ticket to NASS, describing them as the real enemies of Nigeria’s democracy.
He promised to restore the dignity and voice of Abia North if voted into power, adding that he will leverage on his legislative edge and national contacts to end insecurity in Abia North.
Ohuabunwa regretted that those who were elected to speak for Abia North abandoned the people to their fate at the height of insecurity in the zone, but promised to change the narrative if given the opportunity to return to the red chamber.
He urged the people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to enable them exercise their franchise in the forthcoming polls.
Senator Ohuabunwa also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the commission’s avowed commitments towards conducting a credible poll in 2023.
He expressed optimism that the forthcoming elections would be transparent, and commended INEC for the introduction of Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine for a credible poll.
In his remarks, PDP presidential aspirant and elder brother to the Senator, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, thanked Aro youths and people for their swelling support for his brother, assuring them that they will not lose their rewards.
He noted that ” Mao had distinguished himself in legislative business”, and solicited the support of the entire Abia North people to enable him return to the Senate for more quality representation.
