By Anthony
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Leaders from all six local government areas of Okigwe Zone have pledged to work together in support of Attorney Charles Chibuike Onyirimba’s 2027 senatorial ambition, signalling a show of solidarity around his campaign’s message of accountable representation, infrastructural renewal and economic development.
The pledge was made on Saturday in Ehime Mbano when diocesan leaders of the Catholic Church in Okigwe Zone met with representatives of the Onyirimba campaign council.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, its president, Chief Donatus Ohajianya, declared their readiness to work collectively to advance Onyirimba’s aspiration.
Ohajianya said the Catholic Church was universal and assured the candidate of the delegation’s support, expressing confidence that their collective commitment would strengthen his campaign.
“We are solidly behind Attorney Charles Onyirimba. If we have said so, he has nothing to fear; that is what we have said,” he declared.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Attorney Charles Onyirimba Campaign Council, Mrs Favour Nwelue, had appealed to the leaders to support what she described as the urgent need for quality representation at the National Assembly.
Nwelue lamented the deplorable condition of roads in parts of Okigwe Zone, arguing that the challenges confronting the area underscored the need for a senator capable of articulating its concerns and vigorously pursuing solutions in Abuja.
She highlighted Onyirimba’s legal background, arguing that his experience as a lawyer would be valuable in the legislative process. She also criticised the practice of electing people without legal training into legislative offices, maintaining that familiarity with the lawmaking process was an important consideration in choosing a representative.
On accountability, the campaign director-general drew a distinction between representatives who, she alleged, answer primarily to political sponsors and those who are directly accountable to their constituents.
According to her, Onyirimba’s rejection of political godfatherism and his decision to finance his own political ambition would enable him to maintain greater independence and answer directly to the people of Okigwe Zone unlike what has been the practice in the zone.
Nwelue urged the diocesan leaders and their communities to participate actively in the 2027 elections, calling on them to exercise their voting rights and encourage their families, friends and associates to do the same.
She stressed that electoral participation was essential to changing the existing political order, while urging the electorate to vote according to their conscience, irrespective of party affiliations.
In an emotionally charged appeal, she invoked the traditional spiritual heritage of Okigwe, declaring that the forces of justice would not continue to tolerate whatever stood in the way of the zone’s progress. She likened the fate of persistent opponents of development to Pharaoh’s army swallowed by the Red Sea, arguing that the prolonged suffering of the people had become a compelling call for change.
Also addressing the gathering, Chief Magnus Orjiako, popularly known as Ohamadike, who serves as Director of Security and Police Affairs of the campaign council, outlined some of the economic initiatives Onyirimba would pursue if elected.
Orjiako disclosed that the candidate planned to establish economic clusters across Okigwe Zone to stimulate enterprise, create employment opportunities and improve the economic circumstances of residents.
He assured the delegation that communities across the six local government areas would have opportunities to benefit from the proposed initiative.
Ohamadike also challenged the people to insist on choosing their own representative rather than allowing a small group of political interests to determine who occupies the Senate seat. He maintained that Okigwe’s collective interests should not be subordinated to the private interests of a few individuals.
The delegation reportedly expressed agreement with the principle of popular choice, indicating a preference for a senator whose emergence reflects the people’s decision rather than an appointment dictated by political power brokers.
Representatives of all six local government areas in Okigwe Zone: Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano, Ihitte/Uboma and Obowo, were present at the meeting and assured Onyirimba of their support.
The meeting adds another development to the unfolding political consultations ahead of the 2027 senatorial election in Okigwe Zone, with the Onyirimba campaign continuing to emphasise independent representation, improved infrastructure, economic opportunities and accountability to the electorate.
