Prof. Ben. Odoh flags-off campaign in Grand Style … Promises effective representation Godwin Ezeaka It was a political epiphany with an intimidating convoy and mammoth crowd when the APGA Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi Central, Professor Bernard Odoh flagged-off his campaign for the February 14, 2015 National Assembly election with a promise to change the fortunes of the people through effective representation. The event which was a homecoming took place at the ancestral home of the Ezzas, precisely the Central School, Onueke , Ebonyi state attracted thousands APGA supporters and friends of Prof. Odoh including representatives from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka where Odoh was a lecturer and the Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor on Academic Matters. Presenting the party flag to the candidate, the Ebonyi State APGA Chairman, Comrade Jerry Obasi said that he envies the people of Ebonyi Central because of the caliber of their Senatorial hopeful whom he described as a very rare gem. He said Prof. Odoh has achieved much at the age of 38 when some of his peers are still groping with life challenges but the most interesting part of his life is the fact that many have benefitted immensely from his empowerment programmes despite the fact that he is coming from the academic sector. Obasi said that it is a new era in Ebonyi politics where those with impeccable character, competence and capacity like Prof. Odoh, are now stepping forward for political leadership and declared his full blessings on Odoh’s candidacy. He was optimistic that Prof. Odoh would steer the ship of APGA in line with the ideals and Manifesto of the party urging all present to join hands together to move the party forward. In an acceptance speech, the APGA candidate, Prof. Odoh said that his decision to run for the Senate is not accidental but his conviction to take the story of lack of infrastructural development, unemployment, abject poverty, reject, neglect and social stigmatization to Abuja and beyond to seek solutions to them. “Today, we are rising to the occasion by taking our destiny into our own hands so that we can hold ourselves responsible for our fortunes. With due humility and greatest sense of responsibility, by the grace of God, I have consistently devoted my life to empowering and mentoring youths and contributing to the well being of our people in diverse ways. With my team, we have already mapped out ways and means of dealing with the identified challenges of the people with mechanisms to generate appropriate solutions to our problems in priority order” he said. Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Nwagu Onele reminisced the spirit of late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, the great APGA Chieftain cum Igbo leader. He n oted that APGA is the only political party in Nigeria with Igbo identity and called on every Igbo man/woman to embrace her motto of ‘Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya’. He urged members to be determined like never before to emulate and sustain the legacies of Ojukwu. Similarly, the director General of his campaign organization, Chief Silas Onele stated in his speech that every vote cast for APGA is a vote cast for progressive development. He therefore urged the eligible voters to vote for Prof. Odoh and vote APGA as it has a rich manifesto. It would be recalled that the Senatorial Candidate described Ebonyi people as the poorest in Nigeria owing to government negligence, recently while receiving his certificate as the party candidate having won the primaries after voting by 174 elected delegates from the 58 wards in the senatorial zone. Presenting the certificate at Aristocrat Hotel, Abakaliki, venue of the primaries, the Returning Officer and a member of the APGA National Electoral Committee, Chief Vincent Ezewuzie commended the delegates for the peaceful conduct of the exercise. He expressed hope that APGA will sweep the polls in Ebonyi state during the 2015 election even as he described Prof. Odoh as the right choice among the candidates. In an acceptance speech, Prof. Bernard Odoh thanked the National leadership of APGA and the members of the party for the confidence they reposed on him. He promised to be humble to the party and also affect the fortunes of the people positively when elected. “I will be accountable to all of you. We should be known for innovations and ideas not poverty. Ebonyi State is now known for poverty but this is an opportunity for us to redefine who we are. I will try to bring about the reforms that will make Nigeria a better place to live, to bring about the bills that have not been coming on board and to stand in where others have stood out” he said. Other members of the APGA Electoral Committee that supervised the primary election included Chief Chikodili Anara, Chairman, Barr. Ernest Nwokeke, Secretary, Barr. Ibrahim Ango and Mrs. Chinyere Ibenta.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 21:43:16 +0000
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