Stakeholders of Ozara community in Oru West Council Area of Imo State have warned one Barr. Eze Daniel Okeafor not to distract their leader, Deacon Obioma Okorie popularly known as Dangote.
After an emergence meeting over the weekend, Ozara people unanimously disassociated themselves with publications of some of the State based tabloids on Friday last week where one Barr. Eze Daniel Okeafor was calling for the sack of Oru West Interim Management Committee Chairman, Hon. Willie Okolieogwo as well as accusing Deacon Okorie of hiring thugs that allegedly destroyed his jeep.
Speaking to newsmen, the Secretary-General of Ozara Progressive Union, Ichie Davidson Onwukeme described Deacon Obioma Okorie as a political leader and philanthropist with a large heart who have been empowering Oru people in general. Ichie Onwukeme warned Barr. Okeafor not to rope their illustrious son, Deacon Okorie into his personal rift with Hon. Willie Okoliogwo as Ozara people have no problem with the IMC Chairman. He disclosed that he has been assigned to invite all the chairmen of the 28 villages of Ozara community so as to resolve criteria for selecting those who will benefit from Governor Hope Uzodimma’s forthcoming youth empowerment scheme. “Barr. Okeafor has no right to decide who benefits from the empowerment. He should go and settle his personal rift with the IMC Chairman, and leave Deacon Obioma alone. Deacon Obioma and his wife Hon. Mrs Edna who has served as a commissioner in Imo State remain our leaders. Deacon Obioma has contributed immensely to the development of our community. He has tarred many roads in our community. He dug boreholes for us, he built a gigantic edifice in our Anglican mission.
He has been empowering our youths and also providing succour for the less privileged in our community. So, Barr. Okeafor lacks power to decide for Ozara people”, Ichie Onwukeme concluded.
The Councillor representing Ozara Ward, Hon. Sunday Ekezie called on All Progressives Congress, APC leaders and Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma to beware of Barr. Okeafor whom he described as a staunch member of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Hon. Ekezie accused Barr. Okeafor and his co-travellers of planning to hijack APC structure for the opposition party. “He wants to destroy APC. Of course, he worked for APGA in the last general elections. He worked for Senator Osita Izunaso. He hired thugs who destroyed APC votes in his Aboh Ozara booth 5 and 6 in the last election. We can’t fold our hands and watch him to destroy our party”, he insisted.
In a swift reaction, the former Councillor of Ozara Ward, Hon. Pastor Chris Obiefule reiterated that Barr. Okeafor is never a card carrying member of APC and has no right to discuss or decide the affairs of the party. Hon. Obiefule recounted some of the monumental projects of Deacon Obioma Okorie in their community including providing offices for APC querying why Barr. Okeafor is trying to link Deacon Obioma into his ordeal. “Barr. Okeafor should not measure himself with Deacon Obioma. No politician in Ozara can stand the test of time like Deacon Obioma Okorie. There are criteria for one to emerge a leader which Deacon Obioma has possessed. And he (Obioma) never go with thugs. We are solidly behind him”, he said.
Mrs Ngozi Onuba who spoke on behalf of Ozara women pointed out that Barr. Okeafor is only looking for a way to make himself relevant urging members of the general public to disregard antics of Okeafor and his cohorts.
While the traditional ruler of Ozara Community, HRH Eze Onyeaka Ononuju reaffirmed confidence on Deacon Obioma Okorie describing him as philanthropist of many parts and major source of development in their community.
