- By Kenneth Udeh
Same day after former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ihejirika joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) party in his Isuikwuato home town, prominent youth leader and former Deputy Majority Leader of Ohafia Legislative Council under the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Abia State Hon. Otuwe Kalu and his over 5000 supporters ditched the PDP to join the APC in his Ndiagbo ward, Nkporo, Ohafia local government area of Abia State.
Otuwe’s formal defection into the APC comes just a few hours after ex-Army Chief Ihejirika defected to the same party. Otuwe’s defection attracted massive Jubilation amongst the people of Nkporo who hailed the decision of the former Youth leader to join the APC which is also the ruling party in his Senatorial Zone, Abia-North.
In the spirit of the defection ceremony massive billboards in support of the APC depicting Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Otuwe were erected in major areas of the community as they awaited the arrival of Senator Orji Kalu and other stakeholders of the party.
Soon after Senator Kalu and other party stalwarts concluded the registration activity of Ihejirika, Senator Kalu and his team proceeded to Nkporo. Their arrival triggered Jubilation among the crowd gathered at Ndiagbo Ward ,venue of the activity in Nkporo,Ohafia LGA.
Subsequently; the Chairman of OUK movement Abia State Chapter, Engr Ndukwe Orji introduced Hon. Otuwe to Senator Kalu, Abia APC National Membership Registration and Revalidation Committee-led by Ambassador Bala Mohammed Maigairi and members, Party State Chairman, Hon Donald Nwankpa, members of State Working Committee, SWC, Ward/LGA party executive members and other notable dignitaries on ground for the latter’s formal declaration for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Shortly after the leader of the party in the state, Senator Kalu presented Hon. Otuwe and representatives of his team with the broom which signified his membership into the APC.
Speaking to the crowd who gathered to witness the ceremony Hon. Otuwe outlined the infrastructural development facilitated by Senator Kalu as the inspiration behind his joining the party.
His words; “As at today the APC is the most progressive party not just in the state but the entire nation. During his tenure as Governor of this state our community got electricity, we also had free education and civil servants were never owed salaries.
“As our Senator he has facilitated the construction of roads and other basic amenities into our community; today the APC is firm in Abia State and has become the political moving train under his leadership so there is no need for me to remain in the PDP”, he concluded.
Also pioneer speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Arua Arunsi appreciated Senator Kalu for his kind gestures to the community, he assured the party of their unalloyed loyalty.
“Hon. Otuwe is a grass-roots mobilizer, what we have done today is a fulfillment of our plan of two years ago. The people of Nkporo are witnessing what is called freedom from the shackles of the People’s Democratic Party PDP. Today the people of Nkporo should realise that what is happening today is the beginning of our liberation from the misgovernance of the PDP in Abia state, said Arua Arunsi.
Another Elder of the party Prof Obasi Igwe urged the people not to relent in their mobilisation activity for more people to join the APC
He said; “Now is the time for all to identify with the APC, today is very remarkable in our lives. Now as Abia-North constituents we have a Senator who has proven that we have a senator that we can trust. I want us to rally around him to ensure that his good works which he has commenced come to fulfilment.
In his concluding address, Senator Kalu commended Hon. Otuwe from his defection, he described it as a step in the right direction while also assuring them of a level playing ground in the party.
