By Kenneth Udeh
The people of Itumbazor, Umuhu and Bende wards in Abia North senatorial district have declared their support for the re-election bid of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing the zone at the National Assembly promising to repay him with their votes on February 25.
They hinged their support on the lawmaker’s erection of critical infrastructure and facilitation of human capacity advancement programmes in their communities,
The flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his staff and campaign officials had stormed Ozuitem, Itumbazor Ward 1, Itumbazor Ward 2, Bende and Umuhuezechi wards to canvas support for his re-election.
At the various wards, the Senate Chief Whip received cheers and endorsements from the electorate and supporters. Community leaders that spoke at the receptions in the wards, took turn to extol the lawmaker for the developmental projects and empowerment programmes he had attracted to their communities.
At Ozuitem Ward, Joy Chukwuma attested to being a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s skill acquisition training facilitated by Kalu. J
The lady, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, said her selection to participate in the programme alongside over a thousand Abia-North constituents was unexpected as she had no prior affiliation with the senator or his political group.
Chieftain of the community, Elder Ogbonna Eke showered Kalu with praises for the road project in their area. He urged Kalu to provide them another kilometre road saying they had resolved not only to vote for him, but increase the percentage of votes from the community in 2019.
Youth leader, Okechukwu Igwe, asserted that Kalu had changed the fortunes of their community since he went to the Senate, saying his party, the APC has been more beneficial to the community. He described Kalu’s electoral victory as a done deal.
At Itumbauzor ward and in Ntalakwu, chieftain of APC, Nduoma Okoroafor itemised Kalu’s good deeds in their constituency starting from when he was governor.
“Orji Kalu has always shown love to us, as governor he appointed an indigene of this community to be Local Government Chairman of Bende. You have renovated our community school when our children used to learn under trees,” he said. Kalu got more endorsements at Umuhu where the leader of Umuhu clan, Chief Onwukwe recalled how the lawmaker gave premium appointments and employments to their indigenes..
Kalu empathised with Ntalakwu on the state of their road. He told them the steps he would take with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to build the 19 Km estimated road.
The former Abia governor told voters to remain focused and not to be swayed by inducements usually shared by desperate politicians during elections. He said all that the electorate needed were simple basic amenities and infrastructure like schools, potable water, health care and motorable roads to boost their economic activities.