THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AND I AM READY TO SERVE: An Appreciation Message from the Member-Elect Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency – Hon. High Chief Canice Moore Chukwugozie Nwachukwu
I am humbled by the show of love that I have received from various quarters since the announcement of the result that declared me winner of a keenly contested election for who will represent the good people of Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency. I have always maintained that this election is about the people and not self. As one of the most troubled Federal Constituencies, it will be unfair on the people to have a leader who is driven only by his or her selfish political ambitions.
One unfortunate outcome of elections is that for every position contested, only one winner must emerge. I appreciate my brothers and fellow contestants for putting up a good fight. I acknowledge the fact that despite our political differences, we all want the best for the good people of Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency. If I had not won, any of them would have won. Therefore, my emergence, being an act of God is a humbling experience for me as well as a call to duty – the people have spoken and I am ready to serve. This is why I am extending a hand of fellowship to my fellow contestants to join me in the rebuilding process to make our constituency peaceful, prosperous and livable again.
Presently, the atmosphere in our constituency is charged and we must avoid actions that will inflame tension and expose our people to any form of instability, further insecurity and economic hardship. As a man of peace, I call on every leader in this blessed constituency to join hands with me to restore the glory of our land, complement the efforts of the state government and better attract federal government presence, and bring home the dividends of democracy to our people.
It is said that much is expected from whom much have been given. This victory is for all of us and on behalf of the wonderful people of Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency, I dedicate this victory to the ALMIGHTY GOD for making all things beautiful in its time. I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to my mentor and leader, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma – the Executive (Peoples’) Governor of Imo State and the wife of the Governor and First Lady of Imo State, Her Excellency, Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma, for their love and immeasurable support that contributed in no small measure to this victory that is evident today.
The Governor’s love for humanity and his passion for public service delivery are some of the many qualities that I have imbibed in my over two decades of brotherly association, political tutelage and progressive working relationship with him. I appreciate you SIR, for your quality investment in infrastructure and human capital. All of these have endeared the Imo people to you and proven that government can truly exist for the benefit of the people.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to all the members of the State Executive Council – especially the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and all other government functionaries too numerous to mention. Thank you to those of you that reached out to me, supported me, encouraged me and prayed for me. I am very grateful.
I am especially grateful to my political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially the Imo State Chapter of the Party. The Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, who is also the leader of the party in the state deserves all the accolades for making the party attractive to the people of Imo state.
I also appreciate the Imo state Chairman of the APC, Sir MacDonald Ebere, PhD, and all the Executives of the party at the state level for providing a level playing field for all party faithful to thrive and succeed. As a party man, I enjoyed a robust working relationship with a former Chairman of the APC in Imo state – Barr. (Prince) Marcellinus Nlemigbo and his executives at the time, under whom I served as the Zonal Chairman of the party for Orlu zone. I am equally grateful to all the local government and ward executives of the party, especially in Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Local Government Areas (LGAs) for their mobilization efforts at the grassroots level. They are the roots that hold the mighty iroko (APC) strongly and firmly in place.
I am a man of faith, a strong believer in God and a practicing Christian.
I appreciate all the support and prayers from members of the clergy from all denominations, especially the Parish Priest and Parishioners at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Abara-Okporo, Orlu LGA, where I also worship.
The traditional institutions in Imo state in general and my Federal Constituency in particular deserves all the commendations for their support to the government in addressing the security challenges facing their communities and for providing an enabling environment for a peaceful campaign and election in their communities. I am especially grateful for all the royal blessings that I received.
I specially appreciate Eze Imo (Chairman, Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Council), and Chairman Local Government Community Policing in Imo State, His Royal Highness (HRH) Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel C. Okeke, Eze Udo II of Amaifeke Autonomous Community and his cabinet members for their fatherly counsel and royal blessings. I respectfully acknowledge the royal blessings I received from His Royal Majesty (HRM) Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, Obi of Obinugwu and Chairman of Imo State Elders’ Council, and from the royal stool and royal cabinet of Umudioka ably led by HRH, Eze Thomas Obiefule, the Okairuro 1 of Umudioka Ancient Kingdom, Chairman, Orlu Zone Traditional Rulers’ Council.
My special appreciation also goes to the Ononenyi of Ozuh Omuma, HRH, Eze Philip O. Uzodimma, Chairman, Traditional Rulers’ Council for Oru East LGA and his Eze-in-Council. Also, my gratitude goes to HRH, Eze Samson Okwudimma, Chairman, Traditional Rulers’ Council for Orlu LGA and his Eze-in-Council, and HRH Eze (Dr.) I. I. Okoligwe, the Okokoro 1 of Awo Idemili, Chairman, Traditional Rulers’ Council for Orsu LGA and his Eze-in-Council. Their royal blessings and encouragements propelled me even in the face of several challenges and for this I am very grateful.
In the course of my campaign tours, I received enormous endorsements from individuals and groups too numerous to mention.
To mention but a few, I appreciate in a special way, the following endorsements that helped in many ways to give my campaign and popularity a major boost
Isu Clan in Orlu LGA
Orlu indigenes in the diaspora
Orsu Clan in Orlu LGA
Save Imo Project
CampHope Organization worldwide
Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA)
Orlu Special Citizens (Persons with Disabilities)
Orlu, Orsu and Oru East students of Imo State University, Owerri
Orlu, Orsu and Oru East students of Imo State Polytechnic, Omuma
Orlu, Orsu and Oru East students of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri
Orlu, Orsu and Oru East students of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri
Orlu, Orsu and Oru East student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri
G12 Humanitarian Care Foundation
Traditional institutions in various parts of the state
My campaign organization received numerous sponsorships in the forms of moral, material and financial support. Let me specially appreciate the Executives and members of the Lagos State chapter of the Omeogo Campaign Network. They lead a team of other support groups in the diaspora that supported my campaigns at home, thus, contributing to its success. To this end, I am grateful to them and all our other sponsors, volunteers and contributors to our campaigns. You all made it possible and I remain very grateful.
I must not forget to appreciate my lovely wife, children and members of my extended family for their love, understanding and encouragement. By the same token, I appreciate my campaign team for their tireless work and effort during the rigorous periods of campaigns.
Every single effort that led to this victory constitutes that tiny drops of water that formed an ocean. I reiterate my commitment to quality representation with a touch of humanity and the fear of God. I will operate an open-door policy that encourages inclusivity and popular participation.
By the Special Grace of the Almighty God, my time in the Federal House of Representatives will usher in an era of peace and prosperity for my people. I do not take this mandate for granted and by the help of God, WE WILL SUCCEED TOGETHER. Welcome to the Omeogo Era!!!
Thank you, Ndi Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency,
Thank you, Ndi Imo State,
God bless us all
Signed.
Hon. High Chief Canice Moore Chukwugozie Nwachukwu
Omeogo, Ogbaturuenyi Na Orlu
Member-Elect, Orlu Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency, 2023-2027