All is now set for the Inauguration of the strategic arm of the structures for the final push and expected victory of the fastest and arguably, most popular political party in Nigeria, the Labour Party, in the November 11 Imo governorship election.
The State Campaign Council to be headed by one of the emerging new generation political leaders in the state, Hon Tochukwu Okere will be formally and officially sworn in today, Tuesday, 12 September, 2023. Hon Okere who represents the good people of Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives will work with the trio of Hon Matthew Nwogu representing Aboh Mbaise Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Chikwem Onuoha and Hon Chika Madumere as Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu Zones deputies.
Coming barely three weeks after the formal flag-off of the party’s governorship campaign by Mr Peter Obi LP presidential candidate and national leader, supported by other prominent leaders like Gov Alex Otti of Abia State and National Chairman, Barr Julius Abure, this event is one that holds a lot of significance.
It is an obvious indication that the party and its governorship candidate are highly prepared for the onerous task ahead. More note worthy is the fact that it’s conclusive evidence that the party is the party to beat in the governorship election.
Of course, it’s not difficult understanding the basis of this assertive statement. Among the major parties gunning for the governorship seat, LP is the only one to have concluded inaugurating all the election structures. It inaugurated Local government campaign councils on 11 August, 2023. While the five members exco have in turn constituted and inaugurated ward campaign councils. The national leader of the party Mr Peter Obi visited the state on August 22nd to officially flag off governorship election campaign and three weeks after, the state campaign council is being sworn in.
Undoubtedly, Distinguished Senator Athan Achonu and Hon Tony Nwulu who are the party’s standard bearers have kept forging ahead, crossing all ‘t’s and dotting all ‘i’s for one reason. They are of the utmost conviction that they are destined for victory.
They are right. As far as Imo politics is concerned today, Labour Party is the darling of Imo people. The people love Mr Obi with all their heart and soul and the reason for that is no more a secret. Not only is he a rare breed of politician with impeccable integrity, character, Mr Obi is indisputably the best presidential material available in the country presently.
Nigerians not only believe he has the capacity, capability and competence, they are also strongly persuaded he has the magic wand to usher in a new Nigeria.
In addition to the capital being garnered from association with Mr Obi, the guber candidate’s vibrancy is also being pushed up by his awareness that his track record of performance dwarfs those of other candidates.
His two major opponents in APC and PDP have held public offices for upwards of twelve to eighteen years, apart from their stint in the private sector. But, none of them boasts of better performance record than him despite the fact that he has largely operated in the private sector. None of them have lived, invested in Imo and employed Imolites like he has done over the years.
In his short stay in the National Assembly (6 Months), Senator Achonu representing Imo North initiated several bills including:
- Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) (Alteration) Bill 2015 with the singular aim of opening up the electoral system to enable Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in elections in Nigeria.
- Petroleum Act (Amended) Bill 2015: in line with the quest for domestic self-sufficiency in petroleum refining, this Bill was introduced to licence Nigerians to exploit marginal oil fields to fast track local production.
- Mining and Solid Minerals Act (2007) (Amendment) Bill 2015: this was inspired by the need proactively stop illegal mining, which is a major causes of insecurity and mindless killings in parts of the North, and to encourage local processing.
- Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2015: this Bill relates directly to the environment for doing business in Nigeria.
Though his stay in the National Assembly was short-lived as a result of court processes, he ensured that intervention and constituency projects for Imo North Constituency were delivered to the deserving constituents. The process was the most transparent in the history of Imo North Senatorial Zone.
He is often described as igbocentric because of his genuine love for his homeland. Ikemba will stop at nothing to promote Ala Igbo hence he became a frontline advocate for the sustainable development of South East through his Aku Ruo Ulo initiative. His advocacy for investments in the South East dot all across the region with emphasis on education, security, employment, agro/tourism industrialisation, etc. ‘Aku Ruo Ulo’ as he is now known is the man that saw tomorrow. He is the man who saw the precarious challenges confronting Imo State in particular and South East in general and immediately proffered solutions.
Distinguished Senator Achonu, known for ideas distillery creates wealth and employment through businesses that solve humanity’s problems. He owns the biggest agro industry in South East region today, employing upwards of 500. When at full capacity it’s expected to employ 2000 directly and over 10,000 indirectly.
He is presently putting finishing touches to build the biggest TV and Radio stations in the state. The idea is to provide a platform for creative youths from the state and beyond to horn their talents, professionaly produce their songs at no pre-prodcution cost, and in turn find it easy to create wealth for themselves using their skills.
His attempt to redefine the tourism architecture of the state with the biggest shopping mall and five star resort in Owerri was frustrated by past governments.
Also, in his private capacity he has shown keen interest in security of life and property of Imo people, as shown by his paying from personal funds 100million Naira to refurbish police Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) for security in the state. He has also donated many security vans to the Nigerian Police force as well as supported his community and other autonomous Communities to fight insecurity.
Indeed, Senator Achonu’s track record in building the state’s socio-economic trajectory and create jobs is legendary. One can then begin to imagine what Imo will be like with him as governor. So, let all well-meaning Imolites join the LP moving train on this journey to take Imo back.
It’s Athanable
ⒸAthan Achonu Media Centre