Why I should be Imo’s next governor – Ukaegbu

Chief Ikechukwu Joseph Ukaegbu has expressed optimism that he would succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha at the Douglas House, Owerri, in 2019.  Chidiebere Iwuoha writes.

He said he has received prophecies from Men of God, notably from a renowned Rev. Father based in Mbaise fondly called “Edey work”, who was quoted as saying that a certain Joseph would be the next Governor of Imo state.

 

Chief Ikechukwu Joseph Ukaegbu, who is fondly called Chief Ikenga, is an indigene of Ikeduru LGA, often addressed as “Your Excellency” by most of his admirers is the candidate of Labour Party (LP) and is one man who buried his father with a lion brought in from Malaysia a few years ago. In an interactive session with members of National Association of Imo State Students(NAISS) led by Comrade Isinwa Destiny, he rolled out his party’s manifesto anchored on people’s welfare and what he would do as an individual.

Urges Youth/Students to key into his Dream

Chief Ukaegbu told them to key into his dream and contribute their quota to his ambition to be the next governor of the state. He said so far, he and others had moved Labour Party in the state from nowhere to somewhere and noting that they were now talking about integrity in the party and not money politics.

 

They “do more and talk less”

He regretted that “some youth do not know their destiny but are only interested in sharing money.” He said they were not serious but were being pushed around like shadows, waiting to be called for some irresponsible jobs.

He identified sycophancy as the worst problem in the state, especially among the youths. “The other day, I heard that a youth took a microphone and was shouting that Rochas is the best Governor Imo has ever produced. Who told you that? With all that is happening”?

 

Vision of AIR in Labour Party

He said that the vision of the party is anchored on AIR. According to him, “A” means Agriculture, “I” means Infrastructure and “R” means Reorientation. “We want to give AIR to Imo state and we have decided that every local government area will be known for each production like rice, fruit etc, everybody will not be a medical doctor or lawyer. We must have skill for a particular thing”.

 

He said that there would be well constructed and solid roads for vehicles to ply on and that the policy of government would be anchored on people’s welfare or human development. He said that most of those aspiring to be governor had regrettable antecedents. He said as a sincere and straight forward person, he would tell you one thing and it would come to pass. He said that he would create an enabling environment or policies that would bring in investors to turn around the economy.

He regretted that many cases were lying unattended to in the court and made it clear that it was a threat to investors as they would be afraid to come in and do business with the state. He lamented that the state’s debt profile was astronomically high (over N117 Billion), adding that the state only spent but did not earn. He stated that it was due to the accumulated grievances of the people that he decided to come out.

Empowerment

“I have empowered many people as an individual and will do more as governor. There is nobody I will stay with for a few days that I will not empower by giving him job or assisting him in one way or the other. If you come to my birthday celebration which will take place in a few weeks’ time you will be hearing testimonies of things I did for people.

No need to ask me what I will do or not do, because no politician will tell you that he will not do what you are expected of him but time will tell. I have given scholarships and jobs as a person. If I can do this as a person, what can I not do.”

 

On Labour Party’ position:

Chief Ukaegbu advised people to go and obtain Labour Party membership card, adding that in Britain and some other countries labour oriented parties held sway. He described the party as a party anchored on the people (as shown on the logo), meaning that the party would cater for the people, and not animate or inanimate objects used by other parties as logos.

He said that the party stood for and practiced “Equal Opportunities and Justice” and that the name “Labour Party” could not be changed or made to undergo transformation like other parties often do from time to time.

He boasted that as a member, you would not be expected to produce a surety in a police case, because the party was well registered and had gained international acceptability. He jocularly added that since every human being born of woman passed through labour before coming into the world, everybody naturally belongs to the party.

 

His mission and vision

Chief Ukaegbu, who said he had a pact with God when his mother gave birth to him at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Port Harcourt many years ago, from where he adopted the name “Joseph”, made it clear that he was not a politician but one brought by God to salvage the people of Imo State. He described politicians as people trained to lie to get the support of the people, adding that in his own case, Imo people should take him by his word because of his originality, describing “honesty” as an expensive gift not possessed by everybody.

He disclosed that he had setup machinery in place towards having departments of the physically challenged, students etc in the party office to further pursue his vision and that of the party which rest on the welfare and well being of the people. “I have come to take power and return it to the people. Humility is what I have that other contestants don’t have. You may not know when God is working unless you have the spiritual eye.”

He disclosed that politicians had done everything humanly possible to stop him but it did not work and even went a step further to say he was fronting for Ifeanyi Ararume, Emeka Ihedioha and Rochas Okorocha. “I want to let you know that I made these people what they are today and cannot front for them. It is my own turn now and I am going to carry everybody along irrespective of political linings. My activities will be people oriented and I will not mount bill boards”.

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