By Dim Emeka Obasi
The 2023 Guber Elections in Imo State have come and gone but the Echoes of the Events that crystallized into the Massive Victory of His Excellency Dist Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma across the 27 LGAs in Imo State and especially in Mbaise and IHITTEAFOUKWU Ancient town in Particular continues to resonate loudly.
IHITTEAFOUKWU Ancient Town is one of the Most Oldest, Famous and Renowned Communities in Mbaise Land, Strategically nestled in the Ekwerazu Clan, the Town have produced some of the Nations Biggest Political Gladiators such as The Late Nze P.C. Onuoha, The Late Nze Desmond Iwuagwu, The Late HRH Eze Senator Isidore Obasi, Chief Steven Evuleocha, The Late Nze Anakani, The Late Engr Chief Emma Ojinere, The Late Dr Chuks Osuji OON and a host of others too numerous to mention.
It is also home to other Major Business and Political Stalwarts such as Chief Paschal Egwim, US Based Business Mogul Dr George Echebelem, Renowned Philanthropist Barr Henry Ojinere, Hon Barr Ejike Anakani, Hon Emmanuel Ugo Emmalex, Hon Ichie Ken Agbim, Academic Guru Prof Poly Nwoha, Prof Poly Chigbu ex DVC UNN, US Based Renowned Realtor Chief Andy Evuleocha, Renowned Developmental Economist Dr Uche Igwe and a lot of other Influential Bigwigs who have left their footprints in the Sands of time.
Since the Return of Democracy to Nigeria in 1999 IHITTEAFOUKWU could best be described as a One Party Community which is the People’s Democratic Party, The PDP has remained a household name in the Community Particularly as one of the Party’s Founding State Chairmen The Late Nze PC Onuoha – Ikemba Mbaise hailed from the Community.
It has been practically impossible for any other Political Party aside the PDP to win as much as Ten votes in any of the over 19 Polling Booths in the two Political Wards in the Community, Succinctly put the PDP commanded a cult Followership and remained the Beautiful Bride of IHITTEAFOUKWU Politics for the Past 22 years.
However this situation took a new turn with the arrival of one of the Community’s most Illustrious and Amiable Son Amb Chief Dr Okwudiri Divine Nwandu – Afor 1 of IHITTEAFOUKWU and Akunaesiobike 1 of Mbaise to the Political Scene recently, the Revered Philanthropist who unequivocally threw his weight behind the Re-election bid of Dist Sen Hope Uzodinma as Governor of Imo State led the Galvanization of the needed Grassroots Support and Solidarity for APC across the Community and for the first time since 1999 IHITTEAFOUKWU decided to change their Political Trajectory and decided to court another Political Party – The All Progressive Congress.
Dr Nwandu’s Political Sagacity and Visionary Leadership can not be overemphasized as these unique traits of his worked wonders in getting the desired landslide victory for his Sen Uzodinma in all the Polling Booths in IHITTEAFOUKWU and Mbaise as a whole.
Afor 1 of IHITTEAFOUKWU Dr Nwandu however did not achieve this Legendary Feat alone as he doggedly worked with other Illustrious Sons of IHITTEAFOUKWU Land whose contributions to this Unique Victory of Sen Uzodinma can not be overemphasized some of whom include Hon Chief Ethel Ugwu – The APC LGA Chairman for Ahiazu Mbaise, Hon Tony Anakani – The Sole Administrator for Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Chief I.G. Okafor ( Agu Toronto), Hon Chief Francis Nzenwata – The Apex Leader APC Umunomo Umuchieze Ward, Hon Chief Adauctus Onuoha – The APC LGA Leader, Hon Okechukwu Ezem – Ahia 1 of Ahiazu, Dim Emeka Obasi – Renowned Media and PR Mogul, Hon Chief Moses Destiny Ayoka – Echewozor Mbaise, Hon Engr Iyke Mbakwe – Coordinator of COYAM, Hon Emeka Evuleocha – The Hardworking APC LGA Organizing Secretary, Hon Ezem Zachary the GLO Umunomo/Umuchieze Ward, Hon Eric Agwamba as well as all the Booth Chairmen, Booth Leaders and Party Faithfuls in the Ward, Also worthy of Mention are Other Leaders of the APC from other Wards who are Very Close friends of the IHITTEAFOUKWU People and gave their Massive support as well such as Hon Chief Longers Anyanwu – Ebubedike Obowo, Hon Dr Jimmy Imo – Special Adviser to the Governor and Imo State Chief Liaison Officer Abuja, Hon Chief Larry Chikwe – Special Adviser to the Governor and Fmr Ahiazu TC Chairman, I sincerely cannot thank these men and women enough who all not only diligently under the sun and rain worked tirelessly to ensure the victory of our amiable Governor Sen. Hope Uzodinma but also for providing the enabling environment that resulted to the victory we have in IHITTEAFOUKWU and Mbaise Land today and as well as also creating the synergy that elevated and translated our strategy to victory. Afor 1 of IHITTEAFOUKWU Dr Nwandu who has proven beyond doubts that he is a man of deep political ways and means brought political panache and goodwill which made our work in IHITTEAFOUKWU much easier. Many Thanks to Other numerous leaders who equally contributed so much to the victory we recorded in IHITTEAFOUKWU, I also appreciate our political friends from other political parties who helped to deliver our performing Governor to this resounding victory. May God crown our hardwork with His Enduring blessings!
✍🏽 Dim Emeka Obasi Writes from Abuja