“We are pleased with Jerry Uzosike, he deserves second term in office” – Abia Group
By Chijindu Emeruwa
A think tank group, Umuahia South League of Professionals (USLP), on Sunday, described the lawmaker, representing Umuahia South constituency of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Jerry Uzosike, as best legislative material that have happened to the people of Umuahia South local government area of the state.
The group unequivocally frowned the unwholesome activities of few disgrutled elements disguising as political leaders in Umuahia south LGA, to incite unsuspecting and good people of Umuahia South, particularly from Olokoro clan against Hon Jerry Uzosike, who had unpretentiously and undoubtedly demonstrated leadership that is second-to-none ever in the political history of Umuahia South.
The Umuahia South of League of Professionals, was speaking against the backdrops of recent outbursts by a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Vincent Eze Ogbulafor, wherein he openly rejected the clarion calls and yearnings of people of the Olokoro clan and indeed, entire Umuahia south area that recently and unanimously asked Uzosike to run for second term on premise of his outstanding achievements that cut across the three clans that formed Umuahia south state Constituency.
In a press statement jointly signed by the President, Chidi Ekeleme and Publicity Secretary, Maxwell Nwachukwu, and made available to journalists in Umuahia, the state capital, the Abia think-tank group, also stated in clear term that they aligned with thousands of youths of Olokoro extraction drawn from villages that formed the revered clan, on the recent endorsement of the member of Abia House of Assembly, Jerry Uzosike, for continuity and his unwavering commitment in the attractions of meaningful projects, which according to the group, that had immensely and wonderfully enhanced economic and Infrastructural development in many communities in Umuahia south constituency of Abia state.
The professional body further used the medium to remind Chief Vincent Ogbulafor that Umuopara clan, where the incumbent legislator hailed from, supported and delivered Hon Chidi Nwosu of Amakama Olokoro until expiration of first term and his subsequent reelection for a second term in office as lawmaker representing the great Umuahia south constituency.
According to the Abia think-tank group, “in as much as it holds Ogbulafor in high esteem as distinguished Abian and Nigerian, and coupled with fundamental right vested on him by the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria, we want to remind the ex-PDP national chairman that the people of Umuahia South are pleased with Uzosike on the basis of visible developmental strides recorded since on assumption of office as Representative of Umuahia South at the State Assembly.
“We want to also remind Chief Vincent Ogbulafor that the way he exercises and enjoys his rights as empowered by constitution of the land, people of Olokoro clan and Umuahia South at alrge equally enjoy the same rights to decide If Jerry Uzosike should be voted for another term or not, as their representative in the State legislative arm of government come 2023. We believe that God in heaven giveth and taketh power, as no living or dead mortal is mightier or above God in deciding future of men or women. It will amount to disservice and ungodly to crookedly thwart one whom God is using to ameliorate sufferings, hardships and penury being faced by less privilege constituents of Umuahia South and beyond.
“We would want to equally use this fora to remind Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, that while as federal Minister and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, that party and non party members stood behind him during his trying times, both in prayers and solidarities. And we want to state unequivocal that his recent outbursts against the reelection bid of Hon Jerry Uzosike do not reflect to the opinions and wish of the majority of people of the great Olokoro Ovuoma Ancient clan and indeed, entire constituents of Umuahia South local government area of Abia state, as the numerous calls on Uzosike to seek reelection is shrouded in the interest of social and political justice, equity and fairness.
“As believers of true democracy, its principles and ideologies, we are appalled and dismayed that, after thorough assessments and analysis without iota of interference and manipulations as being seen in many quarters, that revered Prince of Olokoro Ancient Kingdom in Umuahia south local government area of Abia could descend too low and as well, failed to give cogent and convincing reasons why Uzosike should not seek reelection. We must say without fear or favour that the rationale behind Ogbulafor’s statement is that he want to pave way for his son who was a former Chairman of Umuahia South LGA. We insists that Ogbulafor’s statement do not represent the opinions of generality of Olokoro and entire Umuahia south.
On laudable achievements of Hon Jerry Uzosike since on assumption of office as member of Abia state House of Assembly, the Umuahia South League of Professionals (USLP), also want to tell Chief Vincent Eze Ogbulafor that the living sees happenings. Is Chief Vincent Ogbulafor telling us that Hon Jerry Uzosike did not perform as Lawmaker. Let us now inform him that Uzosike has performed beyond expectations.
He has sponsored and co-sponsored so many bills and motions including projects. The basic duty of a legislator is law making and we have not been found wanting in that issue. Uzosike’s private bill was among the first that was passed by the 7th assembly (bill establishing Donor Agencies in Abia State). The bill was initiated after considering the setback in resources experienced by the state after borrowing funds from commercial banks to pay counterpart funds to access grants for projects.
On one of our assessment of his performance when he appeared before the Constituents. He said, ” Basically need to pay counterpart fund for most of them to come. So I felt that states borrowing from commercial banks to pay counterpart funds to access these funds with the associated 25 to 30% interest, it helps to lean the meager state resources. I felt, let there be a law that will bring a level of discipline; a specified amount will be coming out and be set aside from consolidated revenue of the state so that any governor that comes, if anybody wants you to pay counterparts funds for any grant, you just go there, take it and pay without borrowing “
Speaking on a motion he moved to make History a compulsory subject in Abia Primary and Secondary schools, the lawmaker said;I sponsored that motion because I felt that people who do not know where they are coming from will definitely not know where they are and they can’t actually project where they are going. And I felt our youngsters need to know who they are. There’s actually who an Igbo man is; I felt that we’ve lost trace and people no longer know those things we cherish and value; how did we survive the Biafran- Nigerian war? What made us to survive?
He added that a follow up for implementation is on ground to ensure that history is taught in Abia schools.h Oher achievements of Jerry Uzosike include; Motions on bad roads, gully erosions in Umunwanwa, Olokoro, empowering business owners who were affected by COVID-19 with brand new generator sets, 125 deep freezers, drilling of borehole connected to the national grid for clean water supply in the markets, building of classroom blocks and houses for widows, etc in Olokoro, Umuopara and Ubakal Supporting constituents with deep freezes.
According to h, his constituents trusted and voted him, therefore he resolved to keep to his campaign promises and also meet the basic needs of his people; house, food and clothing. Hon Jerry Uzosike Supporting Constituents with generator. He revealed that he relies on his salaries and allowances to implement these projects, adding that the state government is yet to give him allowance for constituency projects, however, the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, supports the 7th assembly.
Concluding, Uzosike affirmed that the 7th assembly has done well in legislation, over sight, projects, etc. According to him, the likes of himself, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Enyinnaya Orji, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe and others have raised the stake of legislation with their achievements.
We advise Chief Vincent Eze Ogbulafor to face national politics rather than belittling his status, as entire people of Umuahia South Constituency are pleased and satisfied with tremendous developmental strides he had so far recorded
