- By Kenneth Udeh
The Abia North caucus chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has lauded president Buhari for his support in granting the commencement of various developmental projects on-going in the zone.
The APC caucus also passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The zonal caucus meeting which was well attended by all members of the caucus was hosted by the deputy Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiru Onyejeocha also mapped out strategised on winning the forthcoming Abia-North Aba-South Federal House of Representatives polls scheduled to hold on March 27th.
Among the caucus members present were; Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; Spokesman of House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu ; member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Bende North Hon Chijioke Chukwu, Minority Whip Honourable Member Representing Isuikwuato state Constituency, Hon Barrister EMEKA Okorafor ; General Azubuike Ihejirika ;Dr Madukwe Ukaegbu; Abia North APC zonal chairman, Chief Chris Ajah; Rt.Hon. Prince Arua Arunsi; Dr. Chidia Maduekwe; Secretary of the Caucus, Dr. Emeka I.U. Kalu; Zonal Woman Leader, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbuagu among others.
In her opening speech Onyejeocha who also doubles as the Chairman of the Abia-North caucus expressed her gratitude to President Buhari for his supporting the various developmental projects in the zone.
Onyejeocha noted that the Abia-North is privileged to have its representatives at the helms of various leadership capacities at the National Assembly which is also a major reason behind the various construction works ongoing in the state.
“We also appreciate our dear President Buhari for approving the the infrastructural projects in our budget, he has been so supportive and committed to the uplifting of our people not just in Abia-North but the Southeast without his approval majority of the roads projects in our zone wouldn’t have been possible.
“I also thank my leader Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for making sure that the developments are evenly spread across the five local governments in our zone. He’s not the kind of leaders that would be sentimental by concentrating on only where they come from when it comes to projects and other dividends of democracy, said Onyejeocha.
She continued “Honorable Benjamin Kalu on his path has also performed very well , he’s antecedents does not show that he is a first time law maker at the National Assembly and I am very proud of him. As first time member he has executed so any projects and has remained connected to his people at home, so it’s a plus. We have lawmakers who are their 3rd or 4th terms but the people who they represent cannot even remember when last they visited home except only during elections, but Abia-North is different.
“Down here in Isuikwuato/Umuneochi , what I am doing in Isuikwuato terms of project is also what I am doing in Umuneochi, it would be wrong for me to concentrate only in Umuneochi because I am from here. I have a pact with the people of Isuikwuato, that Abia-North is the strongest zone of the APC in the Southeast didn’t come on a platter of Gold, we worked for it and we earned it.
Harping on the projects in Abia-North Hon. Benjamin expressed his optimism that more projects would be executed in the zone. He said “The infrastructural work ongoing in Abia-North is unprecedented and among the highest among other Senatorial zones in the country, it’s don’t done anywhere. The current number of roads being constructed in Abia-North is nothing compared to the next batch of infrastructures to be constructed in Abia-North.
Speaking on the March 27th Aba North/South election, Hon. Benjamin disclosed that the party is poised in wining the election, he outlined the qualities of its candidate Hon. Mascot Kalu which he said were capable of wining the election.
He said “We need to replicate this kind of infrastructural development in Aba but ensure that we win the election. Let’s set aside sentiments I have carefully studied the major contenders in that election , and I have singled out Hon. Mascot Kalu was the best among them all.
“Being a lawmaker is not just about occupying a position; it’s all about the influence of such a personality, with all of us as lawmakers in the APC occupying major Leadership positions, Hon. Mascot Kalu will be in pole position to attract various infrastructural developments to the people of Aba.
“With Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the Chief Whip and some of us occupying various leadership positions all well meaning Abians are expected to key into the party, because he will use his leadership influence to attract various people oriented projects across the zone. Besides all that Hon Mascot is someone that will deliver on his mandate.
“The election is not an Abia-North APC project but a State APC project , as a party we are united and committed to winning the election, we shall mobilise the people to ensure that the election is peaceful, free and fair.
Senator Kalu on his part , called for peaceful elections he implored all stakeholders to eschew all forms of malpractices and violence. The Chief Whip stressed the need for the protection of voters in order to instill the confidence for them to come out and perform their civic responsibilities.
In his words “As a party, we put all in place to protect our votes, we shall make sure that the election is peaceful, free and fair so that the mandate of the people will prevail. I implore the Youths to desist from any form of electoral malpractice like ballot snatching because it will be resisted. The people should come out emmase to vote for their preferred candidate and remain peaceful. The people must be assured that they will be protected so that they will have the confidence to perform their civic responsibilities.
“Our party will do more for the people of Aba, we shall replicate the Aba the type of developments on going in APC Senatorial districts, within the first year Aba people will have Ten Brand new roads, it will be on record that a Senatorial district that is not APC controlled will be having Ten need roads , because they voted for our party and the people are the major beneficiaries of this projects.
“When I was Governor, I constructed so many roads in Aba some people thought I didn’t know what I was doing but I understood that this is a sustainable development for our people. Because with roads our people will thrive in their economic activities.
“The election is a task for everyone, one of us it is a collective responsibility, as stakeholders we urge all the contestants and their supporters to do the right thing by ensuring the election is peaceful.
