It was a massive outpouring of goodwill as eminent Nigerians, opposition leaders, and Civil Society activists conveyed their goodwill and warm congratulations to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate and the Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Imo rUgochinyere as he turned 40 Wednesday.
The prominent Nigerians who sent goodwill messages to him, described him as a representative of people’s interests and a committed and consistent defender of good governance.
The Opposition Coalition Secretariat confirmed to our correspondent that it had received endless streams of goodwill messages, congratulations, commendations, and solidarity messages from several eminent Nigerians, opposition leaders in the country, and democrats across Africa, celebrating their Spokesman.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Sierra Leone’s opposition leader, and former Vice President, Alhaji Sam Sumana, Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, were among those, who sent messages of goodwill.
Others are: Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Former Governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Eric Kelechi Igwe, Former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Spokesperson and respected Activists, Timi Frank, Deji Adeyanju, and various others, eulogized Ugochinyere, describing him as a courageous champion of democracy.
In separate messages, eminent Nigerian leaders and politicians extolled Ikenga Ugochinyere’s ideals and commitment to the greatest good of Nigeria.
They described Ikenga as a great asset to the country, a courageous leader, and a relentless defender of democracy and the rule of law.
He was commended for his human rights activism and contributions to advocacy for political and governance reforms.
The opposition leaders said,” Ikenga’s track record from the onset evidenced his unflagging passion for the democratic struggle. At a young age, he has proven that youths can make an enduring impact on society.
“From his days as a student leader and President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), he always spoke up for the youths and the voiceless, and he had always strived to use every leadership position available to him to speak up for the citizens.
“As the Spokesperson of Opposition Coalition CUPP, he has severally put his life on the line to fight for a desirable democratic culture in Nigeria. He has kept the ruling government on its toes through his several media advisories and engagements, mass protests and citizen advocacy.
“He has, within a few years, distinguished himself as an unblemished mouthpiece for the Opposition Coalition in Nigeria.”
“Ugochinyere passion for politics and good governance has remained resilient. This was seen in his landslide victory, defeating a serving House of Representatives member to clinch the PDP’s House of Representatives Ticket for the Ideato Federal Constituency.
Chieftains of the Opposition, particularly Atiku Abubakar, Gov.Wike, Aminu Tambuwal and Ihedioha, in their separate messages, praised Ikenga for the courageous work he has done for the opposition and while passing a confidence vote on him as a strong and dependable opposition voice, urged the entire opposition family to continue to give him support till 2023 when the opposition scores a major victory.
Obasanjo, in his letter said: “He is a fighter that has given us hope.
“As you celebrate your 40th birthday, we pray that God will continue to give you divine health, wisdom, grace, and courage to continue the good work for a better society.
“As the Spokesperson of the Nigeria Opposition Coalition CUPP and the PDP candidate for the House of Representatives Ideato Federal Constituency, you have held the flag of young people flying high and shown that Nigeran youths can take up high positions of responsibility and leadership.”
