It was a huge turn out of crowd made up of Imo State indigenes, Ndigbo in Lagos including Obidients as the Lion, (One-Arm-General), Distinguish Senator Athan Nneji Achonu, the governorship candidate of Imo Labour Party (LP) flagship and his deputy, Hon. Tony Nwulu were received at Villa Park dome in Lagos, for a special town hall meeting.
The interactive meeting organised by Concerned Imo Influencers, a pressure group to mobilize support for Sen Achonu/Nwulu mandate, saw large crowd comprising all trade associations, town unions and Obidients who defied the late morning rain, trooped in their numbers, to identify with the man that has been destined to rescue Imo State from the fangs of numerous challenges the State is facing.
Among dignitaries with the Senator include the Achonu/Nwulu Campaign Organisation Director General, Chief Chime Nzeribe; Kenneth Ahanobi, Labour Party National Youth Leader; Barr Callistus Ihejiagwa, Imo State Labour Party Chairman; Capt David Mbamara, Labour Party Chieftain; Hon Lady George Ilechukwu, Women leader and others.
The event was turned to a fanfare as the Imo State women group heralded Senator Achonu with a special song of appreciations that elicited excitement among the crowd. Lagos State Labour Party members, Amuwo Odofin chapter led by their Public Secretary, Bunmi Adesanya were also present to identify with good thing that is about to happen in Imo State.
In a goodwill messages, Southeast Zone Labour Party Chairman, Chief Innocent Okeke while speaking enjoined all Imo citizens to team up and recover Imo State from decay. He lamented that if this is not done right now that, Imo will turn to a desert.
He said Imo State is deserted because of hardship and impunity by the current administration, adding that despite the hardship in the eastern zone, Imo is more tormented than other States.
He also mentioned that Labour Party is sweeping the entire eastern region, stating that Abia has reflected this with all other House members that are well positioned in the legislative chambers in both State and at the national level. Okeke noted that Imo State is going to replicate the wind of change.
Also speaking, the Labour Party National Youth Leader, Ken Ahanobi said that young people who identifies with Hon Tony Nwulu, the proponent of “Not too young to rule” bill at the Federal House, will also vote for his mandate this time. He said the combination of Achonu and Nwulu will make a big difference, adding that Sen Achonu’s investments in Imo State a there for everyone to see.
Barrister Callistus Ihejiagwa in his speech said, “With tears, I came to Lagos to express displeasure of what is happening in the State. All the investments, human capacity development and everything that make the State enviable has collapsed. We came to ginger you to come down and chase the dragon out.”
Chief Chime Nzeribe said, “I came out of Owerri today in a hurry because of armed robbery attacks going on till date. It is going on in all the towns. people are in crying mood. The current Imo State governor has become Pontius Pilate of our time. Imo State has gone back to the dark ages. No security, no progress. Removal of the governor is non negotiable. If this is not done now, perhaps, all of you may remain in Lagos which no we want.”
The Labour Party Deputy Governorship candidate, Hon Tony Nwulu mentioned that it will be like a miracle as the new victory wagon will zoom down to Douglas House to take over government. He boasted that victory for Imo Labour party in the November election is sure.
Senator Athan Achonu in his opening remark recognized ed and asked for one minuit silence for late General Aguiyi Ironsi, an Igbo hero who was murdered brutality.
Achonu in an emotional psyching asked “if all Igbo in Lagos are asked to leave, where would they go? He also cited instances where Igbo who asked for land in Lagos were give swamp area to develop and yet the perform marvelously well, adding that Igbo people have been progressive in all spheres of life.
According to him, everything has gone so bad, and with the latest insecurity in all Igbo land, it became worse. He mentioned that with Gov Alex Otti’s victory in Abia State, things will soon change for good.
“It is only in Imo State that there is security checkpoint in every few meters on the road. We have to come home and address these reccuring challenges. Even the incumbent was not elected. He was appointed and so, he owes nobody anything. That is why he behaves the way he us doing now,” he said.
Achonu charged all Imolites in Lagos who are registered to vote to return home and deliver their polling booth as this will account to winning the election. “I am appealing all our brothers in the bush to come out and vote, that there will be no need to runaway again,” remarked Achonu.
He also re-emphasised on his believe in local government autonomy, saying that it will be among his top priorities to bring governance to the grassroot.
“There will be emergency in the power sector. Imo State airport that Mbakwe established has been left moribund since then, which I have personally pledged to reinvigorate into an international cargo hub, when I become governor.
“The most important thing now is how we can chase the blood hounding ruler in Imo State out, which is why I came to Lagos to solicit for your votes and support. People in Ghana right now are rooting for me to come and speak to them. They laments over their challenges which one is safety in their State of Origin, Imo State. All these will be taken care of when Senator Athan Achonu is inaugurated as the Governor of Imo State after the November election,” he added.
Senator Achonu also allayed the feeling of Imolites in Lagos who sought to know how he would be able to wrestle power from the incumbent. He assured them that with their vote, it will be settled without much ado. Achonu enjoined all Ndimo to come home with their voters card and help salvage the disturbing situation that have kept Imo State under siege for long.