Ugochukwu Eke, Owerri
The former Secretary to Imo state government (SSG) Bar Chris Okewulonu has picked the form to run for the senate to represent Imo North Senatorial district (Okigwe Zone) under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Okewulonu, said that if given the mandate by the people of Okigwe Zone, he will institute an inclusive leadership and administrative structure where every Okigwe indigene will participate actively in decisions making which will affect the zone.
He said that this can be achieved by ensuring a regular face-to-face interaction with constituents of the zone for effective feedback and impactful response because democracy is a government of the people, for the people and by the people.
Okewulonu said this after collecting his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the PDP national headquarters, Abuja, saying that in the senate, he will initiate and push progressive legislations for the betterment of Okigwe people with emphasis on transparency and accountability.
He also made it clear that attention would be laid on human capital development through education, entrepreneurship and capacity building programmes for the youths.
The former SSG said, “ I will ensure that Okigwe Zone has an audible and respected voice in the senate, I will liaise with relevant government agencies to ensure timely and quality completion of on-going Federal Projects in the zone”.
“Similarly, the issue of restructuring will be vigorously propagated and pursued to ensure justice, equity and fairness among the various components of Nigeria as a nation”.
The senatorial aspiration of Okewulonu has continued to witness unrelenting massive support from different strata of Imo society, as youths under the auspices of “Youths Decide 2019”, have added their endorsement.
The youth group which spoke through their Imo State Coordinator, who is also an indigene of Okigwe Zone, Comrade Tochukwu Onuoha, pointed out that “after rigorous background check and credibility test, the leadership of the Youths Decide 2019 has agreed to adopt you(Okewulonu) as a candidate, to represent Imo North Senatorial District”.
Onuoha stated that “In view of our motto of changing the leadership narratives of 2019, we will galvanize other youths in Okigwe Zone to highlight Okewulonu’s leadership credentials and bring them to the knowledge of every voting youths in the zone”.
He said that their endorsement of Okewulonu is also in appreciation of his sterling
leadership qualities, accessibility and youth friendliness, adding that the youth group is convinced that if elected into the senate, Okewulonu would make a remarkable difference unlike his predecessors.
Appreciating the endorsement, Chief (Barr) Chris Okewulonu explained that his philanthropy to women and youths has always been done altruistically over the years without any political motive.
He stressed that his senatorial aspiration was in response to the clarion call by Okigwe elders, leaders and stakeholders in the PDP that he must come out and give Okigwe zone an audible and meaningful voice in the senate.
The frontline senatorial aspiration assured that if elected, he will amongst others, ensure that the women and youths benefit immensely from his representation, positing that any nation or leader who toys with the development of the youths is heading for the precipice.
“Okigwe Zone must be heard in the senate. I am encouraged by your endorsement as it shows that your are desirous of actually changing the leadership narratives in our society by ensuring that only credible people with proven track record of service and leadership idiosyncrasies are allowed to occupy leadership positions.
Besides, as youths, you are conscious of your tomorrow hence your desire to support my aspiration and I assure you that when I am in the senate, I will be an advocate of policies and programmes that will encourage youth development because without responsible youths, we are doomed and our nation’s future will be bleak”, Okewulonu stressed.
