By NewsCritic Reporters
Renowned philanthropist and former House of Assembly candidate of the Action Peoples Party, APP, for Umuahia North State constituency seat in the 2023 General Election, Chief (Engr) Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia, has promised to give his full support to the member representing Umuahia North state constituency in the 8th assembly, Hon (Barr) Anderson Akaliro to succeed.
Chief Chris Akachukwu Nwa-Abia also called on other candidates who contested the election together with him to declare their support for Hon Anderson Akaliro, and discontinue with their petition challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmaker at the Election Petition Tribunal in the interest of peace and Ohuhu’s progress.
The founder of the Team Nwa-Abia Movement made the call during a Roundtable between the leadership and stakeholders of Isingwu Federated Welfare Union, and Hon Anderson Akaliro at the Umuda Okorocha civic hall. The roundtable discussion which was at the instance of the Isingwu federated union leadership was held in order to seek a better understanding between the lawmaker Hon Akaliro and the people of Isingwu ward towards a harmonious legislative relationship that will be beneficial to all and devoid of bitterness.
In his speech at the meeting Chief Chris Nwa-Abia stressed that whilst it is a known fact that the Umuahia North (Ohuhu) constituency seat was already primed for Isingwu ward in Umuhu bloc, in line with the present political arrangement put in place in Ohuhu, he however described the emergence of Hon Akaliro as divine.
Said Chris Nwa-Abia “God made it possible for Anderson Kelechi Akaliro to become our representative at Abia State house of assembly and nobody can question God. I contested for election because of my desire to bring positive change in Ohuhu and Abia State. Unfortunately, my brothers who contested the election with me engaged in a war of attrition against me for no justification.
“I’ve forgiven all because I believe politics shouldn’t be a do-or-die affair but avenue to render selfless service…I asked God to give us a good representative and God answered my prayers by giving us Hon Akaliro. I believe with Akaliro we will make progress, so I’m going to offer my full support to him to ensure that he delivers on his mandate, Engr Chris Nwa-Abia submits.
“Those that went to court to challenge his election should know that we want peace and progress in Ohuhu and not resentment. I want to appeal to them to drop their petition let’s support Hon Akaliro and not to distract him from being focused on his legislative duties. It’s true that Isingwu was favoured to produce the house member, but God decided otherwise and I urge him to always remember Ndi Isingwu in his programmes, so we can benefit.
In his remarks at the Roundtable Hon Akaliro thanked the leaders and stakeholders for the interface. He said after the election he started reaching out to his opponents for them to join hands with him to move Umuahia North constituency forward, adding that he was not elected Member to go and fight the executive.
He said he shares the same vision with Chris Nwa-Abia a reason why he is aligning with him to ensure that Ohuhu gets the needed attention, assuring that whatever is due to Ohuhu would get to them. “But don’t expect so much from me I’ll try my best to make sure it goes around.
“What I want to assure is that you will not feel disappointment with the mandate given to me. Just give me the desired support. I’ll like to follow the footsteps of Chris Nwa-Abia, you know what he is doing in Ohuhu, what he represents, that is the type of thing I will want to replicate. I don’t want to be braggadocios about anything, it is God that gives power, Akaliro opines.
