Mr Charles Ugochukwu Okezie, a young and vibrant businessman has declared his intention to contest the Obingwa West Constituency seat in the Abia State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
Okezie made the declaration in his hometown of the Amaorji-Ukwu community in the Obingwa Local Government Area, where he praised the Governor of Abia State, Governor Alex Otti, describing him as a man that has changed the political landscape of the state with his infrastructural strides.
He said that anybody who seeks an elective position in Abia State today now has a mentor, Governor Alex Otti, to look up to, as the people of the state are now aware of what good leadership looks like.
“Today in Abia, if you’re doing something outside the effective leadership our dear governor has brought, you’re destroying your career. Otti represents the truth, dedication and uprightness, and that’s what I must key into.”
Okezie, who said his ambition is driven by the good leadership Otti has brought, especially in the Labour Party, where he said that the election of Hon. Peter Azubuike as the party chairman in Abia State will encourage many young people to contest, knowing that their interest will be protected.
Addressing party stakeholders during his declaration, Okezie said that his move to represent the Obingwa West Constituency is standing on the solid ground of equity, fairness, justice and, of course, qualification and readiness to serve.
“I called the Obingwa people to speak to our conscience and the need for us to reconsider our stands and spread brotherly love. We have two state constituencies in Obingwa: Obingwa East and Obingwa West.
“Where we are today is Obingwa West, and in this Obingwa West, we have two bloc; the Mgboko bloc and the Ahiaba/Abayi bloc. My brothers and sisters, you all are aware that since 1999 till date, nobody from Ahiaba/Abayi has ever represented Obingwa West in the State House of Assembly.
“This is why my people asked me to come out and make this bold step and asked me to come out and do the needful. We’re all brothers, and we need to look deep into our conscience and do the right thing. Our past leaders in their wisdom saw it as the right thing to do for the sake of peaceful coexistence.
“I’m a youth, and I’m here to serve all of us. Obingwa belongs to the Labour Party now, and we’re taking it. We’re brothers, and I know you all will see reason with me. For the sake of justice and equity, I know that all the aspirants are qualified. They’re all people I have deep respect for, but we beg you to consider us as well. We’re your brothers and sisters and deserve to have a sense of belonging.”
Okezie pleaded with the leadership of the Labour Party in Abia to see reasons with his people of the Ahiaba/Abayi political bloc in Obingwa Ward 2, hear their cries over several years of marginalisation and see how to dry their tears with a ticket that will be for the benefit of all in the Obingwa West State Constituency.
“I beg you people to send me. I’ll give effective representation. I’ll work harder than anyone that has worked before. I’ll not mess up this opportunity. Whatever is yours must get to you because I’m young and have ambition for tomorrow.”
He said that inasmuch as he will not castigate the people that have represented Obingwa West State Constituency in the past, he believes they have given their best, and that he will equally give his best, which he believes will be second to none.
“I know I’m qualified, but I didn’t bring out myself. My people in their call for equity brought me out. However, I’ve told everyone that I’ll give effective representation. I’m not going to castigate those that have gone there before me because they’ve done their best. If I’m given the opportunity, I’ll equally do my best.
However, as a youth, I’m not comfortable with so many things. Our youths deserve better, and as one who wears the same shoes as other youths of this constituency, I certainly know their problems, and I have the solutions. I want to be a ladder through which the youths will climb to leadership, using our governor’s sincere approach as a blueprint.
“I will start by showing an example through my performance. I want to be that young legislator that people will look at and advise their representatives to emulate. God forbid I should abuse this opportunity because if I fail, the failure will affect our youths because people will gather in mockery to use my age as a reason why other young people should not get opportunity.”
