Ibida Visits Igwe Abagana

By Abuchi Onwumelu

The member representing Njikoka II State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Sir Pete Ibida, recently visited the traditional ruler of Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Patrick Mbamalu Okeke.
Speaking during the visit, Ibida who announced his intention to run for a second term, and who was honoured sometime ago by the Abagana Community with a chieftaincy title, noted that he visited Igwe Mbamalu as a cabinet member of the palace and also to officially declare his intention to run for second term.
For his part, the President General of Nimo and one-time member representating Njikoka ll in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Anthony Igboka, commended Ibida on his excellent works, noting that he had performed creditably well and needed to be re-elected come 2019.
Noting that there was nothing like zoning, he urged Umu Owelle to vote for continuity to avoid the mistakes of yesteryears and thanked Ibida for what he described as overwhelming achievements.
Also speaking, Hon Philip Egungwu appreciated Hon Frank Anthony Igboka for standing for the truth. While appreciating Igboka, he described him as a true son of Umu Owelle.
Contributing the former Secretary General of Abagana Welfare Union, Chief Sir Linus Okafor Okunwa, kicked against the zoning mantra in Umu Owelle.
He described the purported letter circulating on social media, which was said to have been written by Abagana Welfare Union and signed by one person, as an act of ignorance and desperation.
He condemned the act and advised the town union to desist from meddling into the politics of the constituency, noting that power was not given but struggled for.
He said that everyone was free to run, as there was no such an arrangement like zoning.
Lending his voice, Hon. Fred Nwafor said that owing to Ibida’s notable achievements, the people of Abagana, Abba and Nimo had given him (Ibida) their mandate to run again.
Responding, Igwe Mbamalu Okeke thanked Ibida for the visit and urged him to disregard the letter, noting that everyone was free to contest, not minding their town, so long as they were from Umu Owelle.
He said he had not heard anything about zoning in Umu Owelle since he started practicing politics in the area.
He said if zoning should be adopted in Ụmụ Owelle, it should be written, signed and sealed by stakeholders in Ụmụ Owelle.
He also made it clear that everyone was much free to run, as according to him, there was no such thing as zoning arrangement in the constituency.
Those who accompanied Ibida to the monarch’s palace were Hon. Sir Anthony Igboka (PG Nimo); Chief (Sir) Linus Okafor (former Secretary Abagana Welfare Union (AWU); Engr. Willy Akpu (CEO Stanwill Engineering Ltd); Amb. Chinedu Anaekwe (SA to the Governor on Agriculture); Hon. Fred Nwafor (from Abba), SA to the Governor, Community Liaison; Barr. Nweke (SA to the Governor on Agriculture); Chukwuma Omile (Nimo) SA to the Governor on Project Monitoring; Engr Augustine Amalikolo, Secretary, APGA Njikoka LGA; as well as Umu Owelle ward chairmen and all the transition members in Umu Owelle, Njikoka ll Constituency.