There is an existential truism which states that when you are genuinely loved by your people, the movement in your support becomes organic.
So it was on Saturday, 15th July, 2023, when the good people of Imo State residing in Lagos, under the auspices of Concerned Imo Influencers in Lagos, played host to Senator Athan Nneji Achonu, the Labour Party Governorship candidate for the November 11 Gubernatorial election, at the Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.
In what started like a gathering of a select group, the event soon transformed into an unprecedented assemblage of men and women, boys and girls, old and young, from all walks of life and across the three senatorial zones of Imo State, expressing love and demonstrating their unalloyed support to the Senator Athan Achonu/Hon. Tony Nwulu gubernatorial race.
To reve up the event, a special rendition from the lady of songs, Ada Mazi, Onyeka Onwenu, whose song captioned Ka-Anyi-Dozie-Imo State, was performed with great gusto which resonated with the people and elevated their spirit for a renewed commitment to #TakeBackImo
Dr Nnaemeka Obiareri coordinated the interactive session which offered the candidate the opportunity to proffer answers to questions, regarding his candidacy, and his plans for security and community development.
Senator Achonu, who used the opportunity of the interactive session, to narrate the story of his journey through life, also threw more light on his #AkuRuoUlo initiative, xrayed the alarming rate of insecurity across the State, re-echoed his belief that an autonomous Local Government Administration can help mitigate this challenge, reiterated his commitment in that regard, and buttressed the fact that the November 11 governorship election is an existential election for the heart and soul of Imo State.
He then charged the people to own the struggle to take back Imo State, and together, “we can take back Imo and make it the best place for investment opportunities, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chief coordinator, Concerned Imo Influencers, Ambassador Theo Chibueze welcomed Senator Athan Nneji Achonu to the event, introduced the heads of different market, town unions and associations present and thanked the Imo Labour Party, LP, Governorship candidate for the November 11 polls, as well as his running mate Rt. Hon. Tony Nwulu, for deeming it necessary to come and rub minds with Imo people in Lagos, even as he appreciated the large and impressive audience of great and excited faces that had come to honour the invitation to have a one-on-one meeting with Senator Achonu, before the campaign starts fully.
“Imo must be liberated, and God has given us a liberator, Sen. Athan Achonu, who is in our midst today,” he said emphatically, adding that the occasion stems from the fact that Senator Achonu holds Imo people resident in Lagos in high esteem and wants to formally inform the people about his ambition to rescue Imo from the deplorable state it has found itself currently.
Some of the leaders present included: Hon Mbonu Geoffrey, President General
Alaba International Market; Chief Cy Dike
Ebekuo, Chairman Odu Ade Market; Hon Bennett Durugbo, Imo State Market Association; Chief Colin’s Amajioyi
Ochinanwata, President Electronic Market Association, Alaba International Market; Comrade Uwandu Olua,
President, Ifaka Town Union, Lagos Branch; Chief Goddy Ewurm
Chairman, Ngor Okpala People’s Assembly Lagos.
Also in attendance were members of the Senator Athan Nneji Achonu Campaign Council, including: Engr. Chime Nzeribe, DG Achonu Campaign Organisation; Mr Dan Onwu; Mr Uche Nwokorie; Mr Paschal Odibo; Dr Nnaemeka Obiareri; Sir George Irechukwu and Capt. (Dr.) David Mbamara, amongst others.