Barely one week to the commencement of the general elections in Nigeria, a frontline contender for the Imo East (Owerri Zone) Senatorial position, Rt. Hon Uche Onyeagucha has been tipped as most fit for the seat.
This was revealed by Imo State indigenes in Diaspora in a media release signed and made available to Journalists.
According to the Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives election would hold next week Saturday, February 25, 2023, while the Governorship and House of Assembly holds in later date of March 11, 2023.
For the Owerri Senate race, Onyeagucha has received the unanimous endorsement from Imo citizens resident abroad.
Information obtained by this Newspaper reports that his endorsement may not be unconnected to his antecedents in recent times.
Rising from their second Diaspora Town-hall interactive session with Senatorial candidates from Imo State, held on February 5th, 2023, where Rt Hon Uche Onyeagucha made a presentation to the Diaspora community on his Legislative agenda and Constituent-oriented plan of action upon election as Senator representing Imo East Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Imo State indigenes in the diaspora announced their endorsement of Onyeagucha as their ideal and only chosen candidate to represent Owerri zone in the 2023 general election.
All the major Imo State diaspora organizations that were represented at the town-hall expressed immense satisfaction and enthusiasm on the legislative agenda put forward by Uche Onyeagucha and equally commended his knowledge of real issues faced by his constituency and Imo State citizens in general.
Speaking onbehalf of the leadership of the Diaspora organizations, the convener of Uche Onyeagucha Diaspora Support Group, Dr Uche Bonny-Life Ndu, who is also the President of Imo State Association, New Jersey, commended Rt Hon Uche Onyeagucha for exuding capacity and uncanny ability to communicate effectively in plain language. He commended Onyeagucha on maintaining his astute character as an honest, believable and prudent servant-leader, who is revered by many as a true defender of the ‘Igbo unity’ of an Igbo-man.
Dr Uche Bonny-Life Ndu equally noted that Onyeagucha’s past record of standing up against electoral manipulation during the governorship election in 2019 speaks volume as the primary reasons the Imo State Diaspora community endorsed his candidacy. He called on every citizen in the 9 LGA’s that make up Imo East senatorial zone to flock out on February 25th and vote massively for Rt Hon Uche Onyeagucha, who he best described as a square peg in a square hole.
Lauding the Diaspora community endorsement of Uche Onyeagucha, Chief Keonye Ahamefule submitted, “I have known Honorable Uche Onyeguocha for a long time. He represents true honor, hard work and dependability. As a member of the Federal Representatives, he had the opportunity to enrich himself when he was offered tons of money with oil block to change an important legislation to favor the then administration, but he refused the offer because he had good conscience and believed the bill would ruin the entire country. Though, I’m not from owerri senatorial zone, but I strongly believe that sending Hon Uche Onyeaguocha to the senate will be a plus to all Nigerians and particularly to the people of Imo state.”
In his own contribution, Ugo Ihenacho, a Business owner and leader of San Francisco Bay area Nigerian Community noted that, “Sometimes, it takes a while to recognize someone with a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves. In those rare moments when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our differences and reach for what we know is possible. Hon. Uche Onyeagucha is that person, and now is the moment to believe Nigeria needs Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, Imo State needs a senator like him. Owerri Senatorial Zone will benefit from having Hon. Uche Onyeagucha as their Senator. After listening to him during the town hall meeting, Yes, Yes, and Yes, I endorse him for the senate seat.”
Additionally, Mr. Austin Uwakwe, a retired Associate Director of a Law Enforcement Department in California, and founding President of Imo State Family Union in California, USA, opined, “I am honored to write this letter of endorsement in support of Hon. Barr. Uche Onyeagucha who is a candidate for the Imo East Senatorial District. I have known Hon. Uche Onyeagucha for over 20 years and although living outside of Nigeria, have followed with keen interest, like most Imo indigenes living abroad, his fearless defense of human rights in Nigeria and his zeal and fortitude to do what is right for our people. Hon. Uche Onyeagucha is a man of rare integrity and courage that lives a life of a servant leader who is willing to lay everything on the line for the benefit of people he serves. Owerri Senatorial Zone deserves to be represented by an open-minded, independent-thinking Senator who has the wellbeing of his constituents as his primary goal. Nigeria and Nigerians are ready for the right leadership group that will transform the country from the bottom of the dungeon to her rightful place as a leader of nations. This requires transformative leadership. We can no longer accept ‘business as usual’ from our leaders and those we send to represent us. The time for change is now! We cannot afford to get it wrong this time. Imo East Senatorial Zone must be represented by the very best candidate. Those of us in the Diaspora, especially those from Imo State fully support and endorse Honorable Barr. Uche Onyeagucha as the most qualified candidate to represent Imo East Senatorial District in this coming election. We will continue to work hard towards electing Hon. Barr. Uche Onyeagucha as the next Senator representing Imo East Senatorial District.”
Hearing from more diaspora leaders, Dr. Gilbert Egekeze, a leader of Imo State community in Chicago added that, “Honorable Uche Onyeagucha is a dynamic leader and a man of integrity who is passionate about empowering the youth in Nigeria and uplifting those that don’t have a voice. He is a man of the people and fearlessly defends the truth. He will make a great Senator for the Owerri zone. Having known him since his teenage years, I vouch for his honesty, integrity, character and passion for public service.”
Chief Dr. Cliff Chimaobi Eke, Leader of Imo community in Los Angeles California summed it up by submitting, “I am delighted to write this note in support of Hon. Barr. Uche Onyeagocha, who is running for the Senate in Owerri Senatorial Zone (Imo East Senatorial Candidate). I have known him for over 40 years and can attest that he is a man of integrity, honesty and character. He has a proven track record as a fighter for the people and for what is right, when he served in the National House of Representatives, and as Secretary to the Government of Imo State. He is experienced and tested, thus well prepared to advocate for good governance and improvement of the plight of our people. He is a team player who is willing to work collaboratively with anybody or any Party to bring about meaningful changes in our deteriorating country. Given these unique qualities and the compassion he possesses, I unequivocally endorse Hon. Barr. Uche Onyeagocha to be our next Senator. Please go out en mass and vote for him”.
Representing Imo State community in Dallas Texas, Dr Kelechi Eke and Charles Nzeakor, in their reaction to the Diaspora community endorsement, thumbed up for the the presidents and leaders of the Imo Diaspora Community across the Globe for standing tall and endorsing the best candidate in Rt Hon Uche Onyeagucha, stressing that they have just made a bold step towards repositioning the Zone to an enviable height. They further expressed optimism that Onyeagucha being the people’s choice would emerge victorious.
The endorsement of Imo citizens in Diaspora on Uche Onyeagucha’s candidacy didn’t end without that from Eze Ikeme, resident in Oakland, California, USA. He attested, “After participating in one of your last town hall style speeches, I am very proud to endorse your candidacy for the Senator representing your constituency in the Nigeria Senate. As a person who have followed your political carrier going back years, I can only describe you as a political visionary, with proven track records, character and above all the courage of a political lion, who has not only said all the good lines most politicians are known for, but have actually envisioned and practically delivered on them. A great champion of Igbo affairs when it was not comfortable to talk about them. A compassionate politician who is not afraid to ruffle some shoulders doing the right things. Whatever the wind of change is in Nigerian political landscape today, you have fought for those ideas going back when most people were afraid to even mention names. The defender of the innocent and the voice of the people. A politician who stands out and unafraid to fight for common justice, equity and fairness for all especially for lgbos.
The entire Nigeria especially the Igbos will be best served with your victory in the February 25, 2023 senatorial election. I then urge all your constituents to come out and enthusiastically, vote for Hon Uche Onyeagucha, Senator representing Imo East Senatorial District”.
However, they have pledged to support Onyeagucha till he is announced the winner of the forthcoming polls.
The electorates’ were further enjoined to shun money-bags, for the future of their Children and for even development and representation.
