A socio-political pressure group known as Achi Political Dialogue Group, APDG has paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government house, Enugu to press home the demand of their people, Achi town.
Achi Town is comprised of twelve autonomous communities and for them, it is their turn to produce the next House of Reps. member of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency in the National Assembly.
The convener of the Achi Political Dialogue Group, Chief Maxi Okwu, the Presidential Candidate of the defunct Citizens Popular Party (CPP) in 2003, who was accompanied by some other Achi political stakeholders and many grass-root followers from the twelve villages in Achi, told Governor Ugwuanyi that it is the turn of Achi town which comprises of twelve autonomous communities and forms the bulk of zone A and zone D of the four zones within Oji River council area, to produce the next House of Rep member for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency.
In part of his address read before Governor Ugwuanyi, Chief Maxi Okwu stated, “We passionately appeal that you may bless our aspiration for an Achi man to go for House of Representative come 2023. This is because, since the return to democracy in 1999, Hon Uche Ekwe and Rt Hon Toby Okechukwu, both from Awgu local government area have accumulated a total of five terms, whereas our brother, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has stayed in the Senate for five record times. Hon KGB Oguakwa(Oji River, Zone B)also had a stint for two terms”
“it is on record that Hon Toby Okechukwu stayed for a third term of 12′ years by the endorsement of Senator Ekweremadu and active support of Ndu Aninri. It did not matter that our brother, Dr. Okey Ibeabuchi, vied for the seat and lost at the primaries, we rallied strongly behind Hon Toby Okechukwu in an unprecedented show of sportsmanship, with Dr. Okey Ibeabuchi chainring the campaign organization himself. Therefore, It is only fair that Awgu and Aninri should reciprocate and extend that gesture this time around to us. Your Excellency, before 1999, Hon Oby Madueke from Inyi town(Zone B) and Hon Nwandison from Ugwuoba(Zone C)occupied the position”.
Governor Ugwuanyi who listened to the address of “Achi Political Dialogue Group” as read by Chief Maxi Okwu tasked the group to embark on consultations with the various stakeholders from other towns and communities to seek their conviction and most importantly to agree on a consensus House of Representatives Candidate of Achi origin, to make the drive easier.
The Achi Socio-political pressure group was accompanied in the courtesy call to Governor Ugwuanyi by three aspirants of Achi origin namely, Dr. Eric Oluedo, and Ozo Gab. Onuzulike and Hon Okey Nnadozie.
The traditional ruler of Achi, HRH Igwe Godwin Madu, who accompanied the Achi Political Dialogue Group on the courtesy visit to Governor Ugwuanyi, pleaded that even if there are reasons why Achi town should not produce the next House of Representative candidate of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency, the choice of PDP should not elude Oji River local government entirely.
On the same date, as the Achi Socio-political pressure group, Achi Political Dialogue Group were stepping out from the government house, with their supporters, the Chief Executive/Managing Director of ANBEEZ Services Ltd, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu, stepped in with his supporters, drawn from all towns and communities in Oji River local government area, to draw support of Governor Ugwuanyi for Dr. Onwuegbu to be the choice of Oji River local government area PDP, for the House of Representatives candidate for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency.
It could be recalled that Chief Maxi Okwu in his address made the claim that Dr. Onwuegbu boasts that he is already the anointed candidate, but Governor Ugwuanyi bluffed the statement while tasking Chief Maxi and his group to consult and agree on a consensus candidate for Oji River before extending the consultation to Aninri and Awgu PDP political stakeholders.
In the aftermath of the PDP screening exercise for National assembly aspirants held at the Enugu PDP party secretariat, a close monitor of the struggle for the next House of Representative member for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency indicates that it would be a tough battle for the aspirants from Oji River local government, who are yet to agree on a consensus candidate.
Hon Johnny Obidinma, a former majority leader of Enugu state house of assembly, who hails from Ugwuoba community in Oji River local government area told newsmen after undergoing the screening exercise that he is the best candidate based on experience and is very optimistic that he will win.
From all indications, the avalanche of political bigwigs from the Oji River local government area constitutes a huge block in the desire of political enthusiasts from the council area to gain the House of Representatives seat in 2923, accruing to the local government through the zoning principle.
The spy at which Chief Maxi Okwu-led socio pressure group will be able to reach out and consult widely and successfully with other towns/community PDP political stakeholders may be the saving grace.
“The option stems from the fact that the current occupant, Hon Toby Okechukwu, defied the zoning principle and is working hard, backing the support of Senator Ike Ekweremadu to win the PDP party primaries, which will pave his way back to the green chambers for a fourth term, because there is no meaningful opposition party against the PDP in Enugu state”. they concluded .
