By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Member-Elect for Ogbaru Federal Constituency at House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Tuesday, extended olive branch to his political opponents, assuring that he was ready to work with them to change the constituency.
Ogbaru, who stated this in a press statement, commended the opponents for putting up a good fight in the just concluded National Assembly and Supplementary poll, but urged them to eschew divisiveness and fault finding since the election had come to an end.
The Labour Party (LP) House of Representatives candidate polled a total of 10,851 votes to defeat the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema that got 10,619 votes and their counterparts of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Arinze Awogu, who secured 10,155 votes.
"I, therefore, congratulate my brothers, Rep.(Prince) Chukwuka Onyema, Ikenga Ogbahu, and Comrade Arinzechukwu Awogu, Omekaodinma Ogbahu, for standing out in the quest for a better Homeland for our people. I assure them of my desire and commitment to work with them and other well meaning ndi Ogbahu, for the good of our people.
"The ties that binds us as umu Ogbahu are ultimately stronger than any loose strings that tends to divide us. I salute their tenacity and abiding love for our people. Across our various communities in Ogbaru hinterlands and Okpoko, the clarion call revolved around the betterment of our people. From the outset, we were deeply conscious of our brotherhood and the fact that we are one people, of a common heritage and destiny, hence our campaign mantra, Ogbahu: 'Anyi Bu Ofu!'
"During the campaigns, some of our supporters crossed the borderline of decency, inspite of our admonitions to the contrary. On behalf of my Team and I, I accept responsibility for all infractions, real or imagined, that emanated from my camp. Going forward, we must join hands to steer Ogbaru away from conflicts that have neither rhyme nor reason and farther away from narrow, cultic interests.
"The man who wills, resolves and perseveres can do almost anything! For us, Ogbaru can and must be a better place, taking strength from adversity. Power belongs to God and He freely gives it to whomsoever He wills per time; We can only be privileged custodians of His delegated authority. In total commitment to the guiding principles of the Obedient Movement, which is total transformation of our society, we pledge, by the Grace of God, to press forward from a sense of hope and reality to make Ogbaru great again.
"In this vein, I wish to express our profound gratitude to our global leader, His Excellency, Peter Obi, Okwute Nigeria, my leader, Senator-Elect, Dr. Tony Okechukwu Nwoye, His Honour, Nnanyelugo Oseloka Obaze, and myriad of personal friends, party leaders and members who invested their time, finances and goodwill in the pursuit, and realization of our aspiration. May the Supreme Creator of the universe reward all of you abundantly.
"I assure them of my desire and commitment to work with them and other well meaning ndi Ogbahu, for the good of our people. The ties that binds us as umu Ogbahu are ultimately stronger than any loose strings that tends to divide us. I salute their tenacity and abiding love for our people. In a couple of days, we shall be unveiling our legislative framework for the next four years.
" In the immediate, however, the urgency of now demands that we must, as a people, seek an end to the divisive fault lines that clog the progress of ndi Ogbahu (Ogbaru). We cannot attain meaningful progress standing on different sides of the aisle. For me, uniting our peoples is a task that must be accomplished. We remain eternally grateful for this rare opportunity to serve you again. Across party lines and group interests, we shall work in tandem with all of our peoples," he stated.
He further expressed gratitude to the people of Ogbaru whose votes ensured he triumphed, including the presidential candidate of LP, Mr Peter Obi, the Senator-Elect for Anambra North, Dr. Tony Okechukwu Nwoye, Mr Oseloka Obaze, and others for their various supports to the election.
He attributed his victory to the favour and grace of God and the magnanimity of the Ogbaru electorate, who he said freely gave him the mandate, adding that God alone gives power to whosever He chooses.
"In a couple of days, we shall be unveiling our legislative framework for the next four years. In the immediate, however, the urgency of NOW demands that we must, as a People, seek an end to the divisive fault lines that clog the progress of ndi Ogbahu. We cannot attain meaningful progress standing on different sides of the aisle. For me, uniting our peoples is a task that MUST be accomplished.
"We remain eternally grateful for this rare opportunity to serve you again. Across party lines and group interests, we shall work in tandem with all of our peoples."