The surge of mammoth crowd that saturated the venue of APC town hall meeting between the visiting State Working Committee led by its Chairman, Hon Dr Macdonald Ebere PhD and Obowo LGA leaders, Officials and Stakeholders of the ruling party at Umuariam, Obowo on Wednesday,2nd November 2022, was unprecedented and highly intimidating. The people of Obowo across party, religious and professional divides emptied into the event arena with vivid expression of solidarity and acceptance for their illustrious son, Deacon Chike John Okafor, ranking Member representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Abuja and APC Candidate for Okigwe South Federal Constituency position in the upcoming 2023 general elections . That a Prophet is not without honor except at home is not applicable to Deacon Chike Okafor whose popularity and acceptance amongst his Obowo kins men is overwhelming and indeed stands out as textbook example of a Prophet with honor at home.
It was a sight to behold as support groups of various Candidates, namely; Deacon Chike Okafor for House of Representatives, Hon Patrick Ndubueze for Senate and Rt Hon Kennedy Ibeh for Obowo State Assembly position,were visibly seen, gyrating, drumming, trumpeting and singing in show of solidarity to showcase their Candidates .
Addressing the mammoth crowd of party supporters and fans that gathered at Umuariam, Obowo, the State Chairman of APC Working Committee and leader of the visiting team, Hon Dr Macdonald Ebere PhD congratulated the people of Obowo on their exceptional mobilization drive that caused the filling of the venue with sea of human heads. He said that they were in Obowo local Government Area on fact finding visit to know how the party is faring. According to the State APC Chairman, they were mandated to come and get first hand information on the prospects and challenges being faced by the party and its readiness to go into the upcoming elections and emerge victorious.
Hon Ebere also averred that they were around to know whether the leaders of the party are united or otherwise but expressed joy that from his observation, the leaders are working on one accord and doing their best to strengthen the ruling APC in their Area.He observed that Obowo is totally an APC Council Area and charged the leaders and party faithful to sustain the tempo and ensure that all the Candidates of the party were delivered in the upcoming elections.
Speaking further, the Chairman said that the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is committed to bequeathing the state with the legacy of good governance by ensuring that security of lives and property and welfare of the citizens are guaranteed. He requested that two leaders from the Area should speak and demand on behalf of the people what they would want the Governor to do to impress them and as well consolidate on the existing relationship between them and the state government. Also, the Chairman directed the ward Chairmen to send in the names of seven popular leaders from their respective wards who have local acceptance that could help them mobilize effectively and win elections in their Areas for necessary action and follow up.
The Chairman further directed for accreditation of the party officials at all levels as well as other relevant political organs in the Area which was successfully carried out by the State Organizing Secretary. The Chairman commended Obowo LGA party leaders and officials for excellent performance and thereafter called out the APC Candidates for the forthcoming elections namely; Rt Hon Deacon Chike Okafor, for House of Representatives, Hon Patrick Ndubueze for Senate and Rt Hon Kennedy Ibeh for Obowo State Assembly position and while raising their hands and formally introducing them to the people, he solicited for support so that they will be delivered in the upcoming elections. He observed that the Candidates were the best for the people because of their experience, competence and capacity to perform well as Lawmakers unlike those from the opposition parties who are merely going there to learn the work.
In his remark, the ranking and performing Lawmaker representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency and APC Candidate for the federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, Rt Hon Deacon Chike Okafor commended the State Working Committee of the party for coming to Obowo. He expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and the State Chairman of the party for their support and efforts in ensuring that he returns to the Green Chamber of the National Assembly with good intentions for him to become a principal officer of the 10th House because of his super ranking status if he returns. Deacon Chike disclosed that Obowo is the heart beat of APC and reassured the visiting team that all the Candidates of party will be delivered with landslide victory because of the capacity of the leadership team in Obowo who according to him, decides the political direction and who wins or looses elections in the Area.
According to Deacon Chike, his formidable team made up of Kennedy Ibeh, Geff Azubuine, Dr Eli Dibia, Cy Chukwu, Lady Love, Ifeanyi Onwunali, Ifeanyichukwu Onwuenyiagba and several others have since 2015 he joined politics delivered the Area to the ruling APC or whichever party they wished. He said that he was very confident that they will win all the elections as has always been the case, citing past instances of marvelous performance.
In their separate remarks, the Senatorial Candidate, Hon Patrick Ndubueze and House of Assembly Candidate and immediate past Speaker, Rt Hon Kennedy Ibeh assured that Obowo is APC compliant and that all the Candidates of party will win in the Area. Hon Ndubueze reminded the party supporters that it is the turn of Okigwe/Onuimo axis to produce the next Senator for the zone and that good enough, he is a better Candidate with experience, exposure, knowledge and competence to offer Okigwe South the best representation they crave for. Hon Kennedy Ibeh said that Obowo is APC and that they will continue to deliver in every election that holds in the Area . He commended Governor Uzodimma for bringing his Legislative experience to bear in running the Affairs of the state, including the party where he encourages the return of ranking Lawmakers to enable them do more exploits if they return as super ranking Members. Speaking on behalf of the people, the former Commissioner for Youths in Imo State and Chieftain of APC in Obowo local Government Area, Hon Ifeanyichukwu Onwuenyiagba said that the people would want the Governor to do something urgently to revamp Avutu Poultry farm and also assured that they will deliver all the Candidates because Obowo is totally APC compliant.
The Chairman and members of the State Working Committee of the APC alongside other personalities were later treat to a warm reception at Deacon Chike’s County home at Umuokeh, Obowo. As usual, the Guests saw another dimension of hospitality with lavish entertainment which Deacon Chike is known for. There were enough to eat and drink as the reception got to highpoint with a Live Gospel Musical Concert performed by Deacon Chike Okafor himself and his private Band to entertain his Guests. In his vote thanks, the State Chairman of APC, Hon Dr Macdonald Ebere PhD expressed appreciation to Deacon Chike Okafor for being a good party man and dedicated Leader to his people. He said that what they saw in the course of the visit was impressive and outstanding and enjoined the federal parliamentarian to sustain the tempo of magnanimity and good leadership qualities he exudes and prayed that God Almighty will grant him and other candidates victory in the upcoming elections.
Prominent among those in attendance include, Deacon Chike Okafor, Member Federal House of Representatives Abuja, Rt Hon Kennedy Ibeh, immediate past Speaker and Member Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Dr Macdonald Ebere PhD, the State Chairman of APC, Lady Mrs Ifeoma Ndukwu, State Woman Leader of APC, Lady Hon Mrs Ijeoma Glory Onyebuagu, State Welfare Secretary of APC, Hon Greg Madu, State Deputy Chairman of APC, Hon Ifeanyichukwu Onwuenyiagba, Former Commissioner for Youths Imo State, Hon Ifeanyi Onwunali, Dr Eli Dibia, Coordinator Obowo East Development Center, Chief CY Chukwu, Coordinator Obowo East Development Center, Hon Pius Uwalem, Sole Administrator, Obowo LGA, and host of other dignitaries not excluding other members of the State Working Committee of the party that were not mentioned.