The race for Ikeduru/Mbaitoli Federal Constituecy Seat has taken a new dimension with the declaration of Harvard Business school trained and Industralist, Ositadinma Oparaugo for the position.
Oparaugo, who is the founder of Tenth April Plastic manufacturing company, told newsmen at the weekend that he is fired by the zeal to offer effective representation to his people if they give him their mandate to represent him at the House of Representatives, Abuja.
He said he has remained a loyal PDP member and has contributed positively to enhance the economic well being of his people, stating that he sited a factory at Mbieri 14 years ago and employed over 100 workers mainly youths.
He promised to bring dividends of democracy to the doorstep of the people of Mbaike if elected into office. The Umudagu Mbieri born politician said it is painful that despite the fact Mbaike is the secong largest Federal constituency in Nigeria, there are bad roads and dilipidated infrastructure in the area.
Oparaugo maintained that Imo State remains a PDP controlled State, arguing that the party will recapture the governorship seat of the State in 2015. He dismissed the entrance of the All Progressive Congress(APC) into the political arena of the State, stating that that it is the governor’s party does not imply the APC will dominate the Imo political landscape in 2015.
In his response to a question if he will quit the race if the present member representing Mbaike at the House, Hon Bethel Amadi decides to run again, Oparaugo said to the best of his knowledge, Hon Amadi intends to run for the Imo governorship seat in 2015.
He described his relationship with Amadi as warm and cordial, maintaining the he will forge ahead with his aspiration if Hon Amadi decides to run for Mbaike Federal Constituency seat again.
He said “ It is not left for me to decide. Hon Amadi has done well. In his first term, he did very well. In his second term, he lost his position as a principal officer because of some forces from the State who distracted him. Hon.Bethel is the only genuinue PDP loyalist. He was the one that nominated the choice of the PDP leadership for various positions in the House, but this was eroded by some forces from Imo State “
Oparaugo backed the proposed Local Government autonomy describing it as a move that will accelerate and boost economic development of the local governments and guarantee dividends of democracy for the local populace. He also lamented over absence of federal presence in Igboland.
He decried the state of Imo Airport wondering why the Federal Government has done nothing for it to function effectively as an International Cargo Airport.
The business mogul backed the Owerri zone Political Leadership Forum (OZOPOLF) for champoining the cause of Owerri zone to realise the Imo governoship project in 2015, staing that the group should be commended for taking a bold step where others has failed.
