By Onyeananam Edmund
The All Progressives Congress, APC in Aboh Mbaise received boost last week after a luncheon which witnessed the collaboration of Rt. Hon. G.K. Dikeocha, former speaker, Imo House of Assembly and Dr. Ikay Njoku, former commissioner for environment and petroleum.
The meeting was convened to bring close friends and associates of Rt Hon Dikeocha and Dr Ikay Njoku who are in APC to join them in a luncheon facilitated by one of our illustrious sons and APC leader, an engineer and energy expert, Engr Ifeanyi AKWITTI and co-convened by the duo on their coming and agreeing to work together for the interest of APC and the local government.
Speaking at the meeting, the LGA Party Chairman, Sir Tony Awusaku, said he was most delighted to have the two notable Aboh Mbaise leaders and their followers on one page in a bid to move the party to desired winning status. He said the meeting was unique and clearly purposed to reunite top leaders. He hoped that other aggrieved leaders will also seek a development meeting like this, rather than dwell in bickering and selfish aspirations without first building harmony in the party. He thanked the facilitator, and petroleum engineer, Engr. Ifeanyi AKWITTI for his wide consultation and interaction which brought up the meeting.
Dr. Ikay Njoku and Goddy Dikeocha, in their separate responses, went down memory lane, recounting how far they have come, in building and managing the political space and structures in Aboh Mbaise, which resulted in electoral successes in the past. They emphasized that the two of them do not have any personal quarrels but sycophants and enemies of the party who believe that their interests will be better served if the two of them are politically apart have been sponsoring and feeding negative rumours and narratives about them. The duo emphasized that the governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, wants them to bring more people to the party rather than quarrel among themselves and were therefore glad for the emerging unity. They also thanked Engr. Ifeanyi AKWITTI for his thoughtfulness and courage by bringing them together. They observed that it showed selflessness and commitment to the growth of the party.
The atmosphere of the meeting was very exciting as other attendees expressed their joy in seeing the two great leaders come together for the higher interest of the party. The member representing Aboh Mbaise, and deputy chief whip of Imo House of Assembly, Hon. Eddy Obinna who went for a House function took excuse from the meeting which had other highly respected leaders in attendance, including the Interim Management Committee Chairman, Barr. Emma Njoku, former LGA chairmen, Dr. Victor Ukpabia and Chief Alan B. Onyemaechi, the APC Owerri Zonal Youth Leader, Hon. Lucky AKWITTI, former house of assembly candidate, High Chief Chimezie Njoku,, LGA Party chairman emeritus, Nze Julian Nwogu, Chief Chrisogonus Okoro (Agbara), Dr. Stan Ekezie, Chief Okey Ulokwe, a former secretary of the LGA, Hon. Obioma Ejike, Chief Emma Ogbonna (Oxide), among others.
Giving a vote of thanks, Engr. Ifeanyi AKWITTI, said he felt the need to grow the party first if members want to achieve anything meaningful, both individually and collectively, and that can only be achieved if there is unity. Rather than join the ‘notice me’ frenzy inside the Government House by some self seeking leaders, he chose to work to bring everybody on the same page. He thanked the duo of Dr. Ikay Njoku and Rt. Hon. Goddy Dikeocha for honouring his appeal to mend fences.
Finally, the LGA Party Chairman, Sir Tony Awusaku, promised to continue individual and group consultations and thereafter convene an elaborate leadership meeting as soon as possible.
