The Abia State House of Assembly Speakership bid of the Majority Leader of the House, Engr. Chinedu Orji has continued to receive wide support and endorsements from various professional and political groups in the state. The latest of such support is coming from the Abia State Printers Association, which resolved at its quarterly meeting held in Umuahia to endorse Hon. Orji for the post of speaker of the 7th Assembly.
Speaking with News Critic in Umuahia, the secretary of the association, Ichie Igbokwe (Nwakaibeya), said the Abia printers decided to endorse Hon. Orji because he is a youth with a liberal mind and good heart. He said Engr. Orji aka Ikuku is one man who has the interest of the youths at heart and wants every Abia youth to be empowered, adding that his philanthropic works speaks volume.
On whether Hon. Orji can handle the office when entrusted to him, Ichie Igbokwe said he is more than qualified to serve as speaker, pointing out that as a legislature Hon. Orji drilled boreholes, renovated classroom blocks and built access roads in the communities as well as donated transformers to communities. He said his youth empowerment programme is equal to none in the history of the state, adding that as speaker he is bound to do more for the people and the state.
The printers’ association said anyone speaking against the candidature of Ikuku does not mean well for AbIa state and the youth whom he represents. He said that as member representing Umuahia central constituency, Engr. Orji has gone beyond his constituency to empower youths and bring dividends of democracy to the people. The group disclosed that they will do whatever that needs to be done to draft Hon. Orji into the race for Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency seat come 2023, to represent the good people of Ikwuano Umuahia and speak for them.
In their letter dated May 30, signed by Ichie Igbokwe and Chief I.N Iroegbu as secretary and chairman board of trustees, which was addressed to Hon. Engr. Chinedu Enyinnaya Orji and copied Alhaji Suleiman Ukandu, the printers said ‘’we the executives and elders of Abia state printers’ association, Umuahia branch in our quarterly meeting resolved to adopt the Majority Leader Abia House of Assembly as our consensus candidate as speaker for the 7th Abia House of Assembly.
‘’The peoples’ leader and initiator of direct touch initiative we are indeed proud of your sterling leadership qualities and legislative sagacity. You have indeed touched many lives positively with your direct touch initiative’’.
Apart from the several groups that have adopted Ikuku for the speakership, 12 of the newly elected members of the state assembly have equally endorsed him for the position. It is believed in many quarters that it is just a question of time before he will be sworn-in as the speaker of the 7th house of assembly.