OWERRI.05.10.23.Sir Tony Ejiogu, the candidate of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance, APGA has become the first politician of Imo extraction to
visit and pay homage to Obube Ancient Kingdom, the historic community where
Imo State’s creation was first decided in 1976 and Owerri declared the
capital.
Despite its strategic and historic significance, the community has suffered
gross neglect by the government, evidenced by the lack of any meaningful
public infrastructure in the entire community.
During the visit, Ejiogu paid homage to the palace of the late king who
played a crucial role in securing the creation of the Imo State and visited
the historic site of the meeting where the creation of the State was agreed
upon in 1976.
Ejiogu was welcomed to the community by a massive crowd and community
leaders from the area including Chief Samuel Akujiuobi and Chief Ernest
Onukogu, who extolled Sir Tony Ejiogu for paying homage to their late King
and recognizing his role in the creation of the state.
The community leaders decried how past and present governments of Imo state
had neglected them and commended Tony Ejiogu for being the first political
leader to acknowledge the community’s historic significance despite the
years of neglect by successive governments.
“Sir Tony Ejiogu is an exceptional leader, we are praying for him to
succeed because he means well for our people, we need a progressive-minded
leader, who would create an enabling environment for business to thrive and
for the state to prosper,” Chief Samuel Akujiuobi said.
Addressing the crowd, the APGA governorship flag bearer decried the level
of neglect and underdevelopment that the community has endured from
previous and present administrations in the state.
He assured the people that when elected, his administration would accord
the community the recognition it deserves, considering its historical
symbolism in the creation of the State.
“The discussion to create Imo started in this community (Ngwoma), the late
traditional ruler, Eze A.I Onukogu was the Chairman of that Committee, he
played a vital role in the creation of the state. I thought it wise to come
back to Ngwuoma and pay homage to one of the founding fathers of the State
and well seek the land’s blessings in my determination to rebuild Imo state
for developmental strides”.
Ejiogu stated that the present Imo is not what the founding fathers had
hoped for, hence his desire to right the wrongs. While calling for a
peaceful election exercise, he enjoined them not to relent in coming out en
masse to cast their ballot in the November 11 governorship polls.
“There’s a wind of change blowing across this nation. Our people are
desirous to sign a new social contract, hence everybody should be bold
enough to come out on November 11th to vote and secure their votes. I
equally call on our security agencies to ensure the safety of all, we want
to bring about good governance,” he said.
The APGA candidate also appealed to people of the state, especially those
who have not collected their permanent voters’ cards to do so.
