2023: Ohobo Community Agog as Maduakolam Kenneth Adighibe’s (Ijere) Campaign Train Visits (PHOTOS)

It was an atmosphere of conviviality and jubilation as the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate for Umuahia Central State Constituency at the forthcoming general elections, Sir Maduakolam Kenneth Adighibe (Ijere) yesterday led his high powered campaign council to Ohobo Okwulaga Afaraukwu Ibeku community in Umuahia North LGA of the State.

Men, women and youths of the community thronged the modern Ohobo community hall, venue of the visit, in their large numbers.

While speaking on his mission to the community, Sir Adighibe who is fondly called Ijere by his admirers thanked the community for their regular warm reception whenever he visited and expressed delight at their large turnout to receive him. He went down memory lane about how he has refused to upset the system in the last two elections which he lost, by not going to court to challenge the results despite pressure from powerful quarters to do otherwise.

He also narrated how he is a homeboy of Afaraukwu origin, who schooled in Afaraukwu, knows the constituency very well, later rose to become a chartered account who worked for several years in the banking industry before Trinity College, Afaraukwu, poached him to contribute his wealth of experience and expertise to the growth and development of the College.

He emphasised on his integrity which is why he has been able to remain with Trinity College for the past 25 years after an unblemished record in the banking industry, two periods he has used to empower many of the Constituents both in the College and outside it.

The APC candidate further enumerated how he has been able to empower widows, youths and such other groups through his Ijere Foundation, his Ijere Football Club from where youths have been engaged by some professional football clubs, and assured the people of his willingness to continue his people and community development projects.

Maduakolam whose speech was intermittently cut with songs of praise by the women and youths present reminded them of how he singlehandedly renovated and regressed the presitigious Afara Technical College, Afaraukwu field for the pleasure and meaningful engagement of youths of the constituency and also built a 2-bedroom flat for a homeless widow.

He therefore passionately called on the people of Ohobo Okwulaga Afaraukwu community to throw their weight behind him as he has proven with his antecedents that he is a man that can be trusted with power and the enormous responsibilities such as that thrust on the Member representing Umuahia Central State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly. He promised never to fail them and that he will remain his usual humble, dedicated, friendly, accommodating and compassionate self.

Responding, Chairman of Ohobo Okwulaga Community, Chief Charles Offor, Ochikaribe 1, once again welcomed Sir Maduakolam Kenneth Adighibe and his entourage, saying that Ohobo community is a highly politically aware community which will always take the best political decisions and support whoever she feels will most protect, project and promote their interests in government through effective legislative framework irrespective of the party as long as the candidate is trustworthy and competent. He said given Adighibe’s pedigree, it appears he fits the bill of a trusted candidate.

Other speakers at the event including the vice president of the community’s women wing, Mrs Charity Eleonu, Councillor representing the community’s Ward at the Umuahia North Local Government Legislative Council, Hon Andrew Uwaga, and the President General of Okwulaga Community, Chief Levi Ogbonna all hailed Ijere for his virtues of humility, kindness and hospitality despite his towering academic and professional qualifications and experience and urged him not to relent in his politcal pursuits.

Secretary of the community, Mr Obioma Ndukwe delivered the vote of thanks before the eldest man in the village, Chief Nwabuisi was called upon to lead the community’s prayers of blessings for Sir Maduakolam Kenneth Adighibe.