By Ezeakukwu Emma Nsoedo
The campaign for the Nnewi Federal Constituency took off for Ikenna A Okafor (Ogbuefi Ekenedilichukwu) with a new sense of urgency and purpose as the flag bearer of the Labour Party.
The candidate, who is determined to do things differently to earn the people’s trust flagged off his campaign by receiving the party’s flag in his father’s compound to allow his family and kindred to share in the moment.
Despite being the son of one of the foremost industrialist in Nnewi, Hon Ikenna Okafor (Ogbuefi Ekenedilichukwu), struck out on his own to achieve success as a business man and a manufacturer.
Vision Newspapers gathered also that Hon Ikenna is a great philanthropist who constantly share his wealth with the less privileged. Hon Okafor eschews any form of injustice against anyone, even if, the person is his enemy. He is a grassroots man, who is at home with members of his kindred.
It was for the above reasons that Hon Ikenna Okafor kicked off his campaign among his kin and kith, and to receive blessings from his father and members of his kindred. This action is indicative of a person who wants to be held accountable by his people. Hon Okafor’s approach to politics is pure organic and not given to pretentious aggrandizement that most politicians in this clime tend to showcase.
Following the brief citation of Hon Okafor by the party chairman of the Labour Party, Nnewi North LGA, Dominic Eze that Hon Okafor was invited to address the audience. Before Hon Ikenna Anthony Okafor could address the audience, the chairmen of the party for Nnewi South LGA, Prince Odinaka Chikwelu and Ekwusigo LGA, Hon Nwabufo Ubachukwu, all jointly presented Hon Ikenna Anthony Okafor to the party faithfuls, friends and supporters who have gathered in his father’s huge compound to witness the event.
Hon Okafor said that it was his desire to be an active participant in proffering solutions to many issues impacting the people, and actually getting the solutions implemented for the benefit of his constituency.
Hon Ikenna Okafor began by acknowledging the active and successful representation made by Hon Chris Azubogu and the late Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah. “These former legislators were my mentors” Hon Okafor said. “I will adapt each of their modus operandi and finesse them to the vigorous approach I need to bring to this job.”
Okafor said that if he wants to address the health care issues and lack of adequate provisions of quality drugs at the centers. He said there are enough drugs out there if an elected member through his office can help bring down to his people by using the right mechanism.
“Our roads within the Federal Constituency are so bad that one needs to ask the question, do we have a representative at Abuja now? A representative who does not know how to use his office to address some of the problems is not fit to be there. “Think for one moment, that the Managing Director of FERMA is from Nnewi North. If a legislator should put his personal and material interests, he should be able to work with his office to address some of these internal roads” he said.
“In education, I will work with the state government to facilitate federal education opportunities for my state. I pledge today to set up an Education Endowment Fund through which significant members of my constituency can access full scholarship. I will dedicate 30 percent of my constituency projects to education endowment programs. I will work with our people in the diaspora to assist the Fund with resource persons with high AI knowledge and certification to work with our endowment funds. Education is key for future success, therefore, I must do whatever I can to ensure we place our children through the path to achieve these successes”
“You see, we do not have a representative at the Federal House of Representatives at Abuja.” I challenge you to name him or show us what he has done to impact your lives.” “I didn’t just jump into the race because of the lore of the office, but I am ashamed that our constituency does not enjoy effective representation.” Peter Obi needs a partner who should work with him, and not someone who would ride his coat tail to the National Assembly to continue milking the system.
“Let me tell you today, if they give you money for your votes, collect the money and vote wisely.” Please, do not throw away your votes by voting for those who abandoned you.” In the coming days, I will be out there to share my vision with our people.”
One of the highlights of the event was when Hon Ikenna Okafor presented the party’s flag to the father and his kindred, who received it. After his father, Christomex Okafor received the flag, he prayed upon the head of his son, and charged him to go into the field and tell the people to support him. The father also pleaded with everyone present to share the good news with their family and friends. After the prayers, he handed the flag back to his son.
Most of the people who spoke charged everyone that the vote must go to the right person and not the party. So they called for support for Hon Ikenna Okafor and and His Excellency, Peter Obi.
The various LGA key party functionaries were fully represented. Nnewi North LGA chairman, Dominic Ezeh and secretary Ajaegbu Ogechi; Nnewi South LGA chairman Prince Odinaka Chikwelu, and secretary Ozowalu Ukamaka; and Ekwusigo LGA chairman Nwabufo Ubachukwu and secretary Amara Nwizu; the candidate’s ward chairman, Jude Okeke.