Orlu Elders’ Council Endorses Chief Charles Ahize Of Labour Party As It’s Sole Candidate For Imo West Senatorial District ‘s Election, Pours Out Traditional Blessings For His Emergence

ORLU SENATORIAL ZONE:

ORLU ELDERS ‘ COUNCIL ENDORSES CHIEF CHARLES AHIZE OF LABOUR PARTY AS ITS SOLE CANDIDATE FOR IMO WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT’S ELECTION, POURS OUT TRADITIONAL BLESSINGS FOR HIS EMERGENCE

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Owerri, Imo State.

Admittedly, Nigerian politics , especially during electioneering circle , is characterized by gale of endorsements. It’s a political season wherefore, prominent individuals, influencers, opinion moulders, respected community leaders and socio-cultural groups usually give verdict about candidates after critically examnining their manifesto or political mantra.

However, one distinguished elitist or prominent socio-cultural group in Imo nay Orlu zone, that is not caught in the web of this political endorsement bonanza is Orlu Elders ‘ Council under the wisdom – driven and purposeful leadership of Prof. Francis Dike , SAN; a British trained lawyer, respected elder statesman, living legend, powerful opinion moulder, uncompromised legal luminary, former Attorney General of Imo State and Commissioner for Justice.

For the records, it was this respected group that turned down offers made to her members by a number of the 2019 Imo governorship candidates from both Okigwe and Orlu zones that approached them for endorsements as they insisted on the candidacy of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); from Owerri zone for the interest of equity, fairness and justice. The rest is now history.

Therefore, it was more like winning the election already when these highly respected illustrious sons of Imo and Orlu elders that have made their marks both in private and public life converged on Thursday, January 18, 2023, to unanimously make a pronouncement as they endorsed the Labour Party’s candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, Chief Charles Ahize , as their sole candidate in the February 25, 2023 general elections.

Introducing the rave of the moment; a frontline candidate of Labour Party for Imo West Senatorial District, Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize-Chukwu, a member of his campaign organisation, Dr. Batos Nwadike, while thanking Orlu Elders’ Council for the opportunity the political parley created to present his principal, Charles Ahize, assured them of the determination of the incoming -Senator to recover Orlu and hand it over to the people.

In his brief speech which was greeted with some applause by the audience, Batos Nwadike highlighted the scorecard of his principal, Chief Charles Ahize , in practical human capacity development without noise, youth empowerment without publicity, advocacy for social justice without a clap trap, total defense of ndigbo at the Ladipo market in Lagos State without hugging the media limelight, taking up the ‘Apo 6 Case in Abuja’ where young six Igbo traders returning home after the day’s hustle were abruptly killed by security operatives in a draconian brute force.

Oyi of Igboland threw caution to the wind as he meticulously presented Labour Party ‘s candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize -Chukwu, as the most qualified candidate with capacity, social contacts, wider reach, honest, friendly and accessible. More importantly, he has the courage and strength of character to make case for Orlu people and recover the zone from the wasted years that past and successive representatives of Imo West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate held sway while converting the people’s federal job slots and opportunities to personal use for their family members and political cronies.

Taking over the stage after introduction, Labour Party frontline candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, Chief Charles Ahize, who arrived the Owerri residence of the Chairman of Orlu Elders ‘ Council, Prof. Francis Dike, SAN, being venue of the August meeting, after spending hours at the ongoing Ùmùagwó/Umuapù road project site inspection in exercising his unofficial oversight function for his legislative outing (as a Senator -in- the making ) by the grace of God.

Chief Charles Ahize, while presenting his verifiable academic background; early life in business sojourn, political trajectory, activism for social justice and fight for equal participation of ndigbo in the Nigerian political milieu, however, threw some light in the nickname that was given to him ‘ Charley Akpuruka ‘ by one of his business associates; given his native wisdom in managing diffcult business deals and coming out with positive results to the chagrin of his contemporary.

The Ugochinyere Mba of Orlu – Charles Ahize , who has dominated the political leadership discuss in Imo West Senatorial District, also presented his blue print to Orlu leaders, stakeholders and respected elder statesmen; promising not to let them down as he would ensure inclusive and people – oriented representation where he could also be held accountable by the people and to ndi Orlu.

According to the established entrepreneur turned politician, Charles Ahize: ” I am not a career politician who must have a godfather before running for an election, Orlu elders and the electorate are my political godfather because they are the ones I will be holding the mandate on their collective behalf.

The obviously impressed and highly elated Orlu Elders’ Council under Prof. Francis Dike SAN, commended the senatorial hopeful , Charles Ahize, for being a thoroughbred, genuine and straight to the point on his agenda for the good people of Orlu zone, challenging him to carry – on with the good plans, programs, policies and projects he has set out to accomplish in the oil- rich senatorial zone if elected on February 25, 2023.

Anchor man of the political parley and secretary of Orlu Elders ‘ Council, Prof. Protus Uzomah, saluted Chief Charles Ahize for extensive explanation of his agenda for Orlu Senatorial zone if elected by the grace of God. Prof. Protus Uzomah maintained that Orlu Elders were also impressed with his scorecard of achievements as a private person, tipping him as the candidate to beat in the February 25, 2023 general elections, as his major rival in the contest is no go area with his unsellable baggage of a political party that has almost turned Imo’s economy into ruins – unquote.

From one speaker to another, the elders who were given the opportunity to ask the senatorial hopeful, Chief Charles Ahize , pertinent questions, agreed in unionism that Orlu zone needs a man with the courage, contacts and strong character of Charles Ahize to address the insecurity issue in the zone and bring back home the much expected dividends of democracy from Abuja through lobbying and negotiation as a successful entrepreneur.

The high point of the event was the endorsement and performance of traditional washing ritual and blessings on the Labour Party’s Senatorial candidate, Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize-Chukwu, and members of his campaign organization, as Orlu Elders Council washed his face, hands and legs to access the doors of the Imo West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, to the glory of God!

Meanwhile, the Media Lens of 4thestatereporters captured the following leaders of Orlu zone in attendance, which included but not limited to:
Prof. Francis Dike SAN – Chairman

Vice Chairman, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, Prof. Chuka Okonkwo, Prof. Innocent Okonkwo, Prof. Protus Uzoma , Rt. Hon. Goddy Ezumobodo , Hon/Sir. Ejike Uche, HE Dr. Douglas Acholonu, Dr. Richard Agbarakwe, Hon. Chief Kingsley Ufere, Chief H. C. Onyekwere, Chief Chuma Nzeribe, Hon. Sir. A. E. Onunkwo, Chief Emma Izuegbu, Barr. Azubuike Ukwuegbu, HRM Eze Arch. Jude , Chief Mike Obioha, Chief G. Iheka.

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna; eye witness reporter |publisher, 4th Estate Reporters.