Ekwereazu Progressives Leadership Forum stands still as Eric Agwamba declares for Ahiazu Mbaise Chairmanship

It was indeed an interesting moment weekend at the Umuchieze lhitteaforukwu palatial home of the Board of Trustees (BoTs) Chairman of Ekwereazu Progressives Leadership Forum, Chief Sir Adauctus Onuoha, when who is who of the All Progressives Congress (APC) extraction in Ekwereazu clan were held to a standstill, as an emerging political leader of Ahiazu Mbaise and a former Councillor, Hon Eric Agwamba declared interest to run for Ahiazu Mbaise Chairmanship position in the proposed September, 21, 2024 Council polls.

Presenting his manifesto to the formidable group made up of staunch APC leaders in Ekwereazu clan, the front line aspirant and Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO) graduate, Eric Agwamba, stated that his entry into the Chairmanship race was necessitated by his sincere desire to ensure his people of Ahiazu Mbaise Council area were given the leadership they have longed for.

This was even as he promised to carry the men, women and youths along in the scheme of things if elected the Council Chairman in September.

He assured that his leadership if elected will be a government for the people of Ahiazu Mbaise and not his personal business, maintaining that the people’s voice will be heard at all times.

The youthful Chairmanship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), who noted that he has empowered over 30 indigent women and youths, also, rehabilitated roads, instituted several football tournaments to unite the entire Ahiazu Mbaise communities, also recalled his silent contributions to the party, among other achievements, while challenging other aspirants to come forward with their scorecards to the people for their assessment.

Agwamba promised 100% loyalty to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s 3R Government without derailing. He pleaded with the Governor to lookout for only credible candidates, especially individuals who have shown capacity with proof of performance in the past.” Let the Governor consider these attributes and reward such persons and not allowing individuals to hijack the system and pick their cronies for such sensitive position in the Local Government”, he pleaded. He also called for an enabling ground for all aspirants to prove their strength, expressing confidence that he will emerge best on such ground, as he is fully prepared for the Council top position.

The leading aspirant whose presentation was greeted with intermittent applause by crowd of attendees at the event, was said to have held several political positions of trust in the past including as a Councillor for Umunumo/Umuchieze ward, Campaign Chairman of the ward for the November 11, 2023 lmo Governorship election that saw Governor Uzodimma won his opponents with wide margin.

Agwamba, who prided that he delivered his ward with not less than 100 votes in all polling units in his ward at the November 11, 2023 Governorship election in favour of APC, noted that it was a record broken since 24 years when PDP was having field day in the area, asserting that his entry into APC had brokered such landslide victory for the party, while promising to make the party proud if he is considered to fly their flag at the proposed Council polls in September.

Speaking, the Acting Chairman of the Forum, Chief Sir Eddy Enwereji, described the aspirant as vibrant young man who has given the people reason to believe in him through his numerous good works, noting that his presentation and action at his declaration confirmed he is willing and ready to serve the people, adding that the Forum has blessed him to be successful in his voyage.

Chief Enwereji further described Agwamba as a young man who has represented himself in all ramifications, through his well-coordinated speech and comportment, adding that with his antecedent and accomplishments he appears a viable aspirant to beat.

In his own, the Secretary General of the group, Chief Sir Sylvester Ofoegbu JP, said members of the group were overwhelmed by the presentation of one of their illustrious sons, who has indicated interest to run the race of the Council Chairmanship seat, describing the aspirant, Agwamba as a young man who has demonstrated his preparedness to pilot the affairs of the Council top position if he is considered to fly the party’s flag and win the general election in September.

He noted that the Forum was at home with such an energetic young man, with superb presentation.He therefore wished him well as he venture into the election. He expressed confidence that the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma will allow the people make their choice based on individual’s credibility.

The Public Relations Officer of the Forum, Barr CSC Nwoko, in his own described the aspirant as someone who has several gifts including his oratory prowess that distinguishes him, noting that the aspirant has proven himself a man ready to assume responsibility if elected by the people. He added that the Forum is awaiting someone who will beat Agwamba”s scorecard.According to Barr Nwoko, what matters is credibility, adding the people have seen with their eyes what the aspirant has achieved and strands for, maintaining that Agwamba accomplishments will give him edge over his rivalries.

Speaking earlier, the Chief host and BoTs Chairman of the Forum, Chief Sir Adauctus Onuoha (Ogbuhuruzo Mbaise), noted that the Forum and entire Ahiazu Mbaise are proud to have a son of that calibre showing interest in the highly coveted office, saying that from all indications the aspirant has shown tremendous capacity, stressing that the Forum awaits the Governor to announce the criteria for adopting aspirants. He opined that performance during the last Governorship election in the State could be best adopted as part of accreditation of what aspirants have done to be acceptable for adoption. Onuoha averred that the aspirant has so far shown strength and capacity with a clear intention to serve the people of Ahiazu Mbaise and therefore wished him well.

He prayed that the Governor will provide the people of Ahiazu Mbaise a competent Chairman that will manage the affairs of the Council for a constitutional years.

He noted that the days of wanton approvals and appointments for the people should stop, while urging the Governor to be conscious of performance of individuals, especially, in his booth and ward, so that people that are willing to work for APC will not get disillusioned with the feelings that it doesn’t matter what one does, the Governor will not remember.Also, reminded the Governor to understand that the next election of who will succeed him in 2027 is paramount, hence, the need to reinforce performance and rebuff bad performance, while praying God to see the aspirant through in his aspiration.

Highlight of the event was prayers conducted by elders of the Forum for the young aspirant, as well as various goodwill speeches by other members of the Forum.