2027: GROUP ENDORSES IKECHUKWU APUGO FOR HOUSE OF REPS UMUAHIA/IKWUANO

As Nigerians get ready to go to the polls to elect those who will pilot their affairs for another four years from 2027, we have experienced alignments and realignments in recent times by the political gladiators in readiness slug it out on who will occupy which public office.

In view of this, a civil society organization, Advocates for Good Governance(AGG), has appealed to an Abia based politician, Ikechukwu Martins Apugo, to run for the seat of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, with the assurance that he has all it takes to represent the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.

The group, which advocates for good governance and accountability with members across the country, said their appeal stems from Ikechukwu Martins Apugo’s antecedents over the years, insisting that he has exhibited leadership qualities which has further captured the attention of the group.

President of the Group, Mazi Nduka Aloysius who spoke on Tuesday during a courtesy visit on Ikechukwu Martins Apugo, said Ikechukwu Martins Apugo, popularly known as “Leader”, possessed the needed capabilities to represent the good people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives come 2027.

He said at different fora, he has exhibited the attribute of a leader which is lacking among some leaders in the country today, emphasizing that such quality which is a rare feat distinguishes him from some in the Constituency who have represented the area.

Aloysius maintained that AGG as an advocacy group, concerned about good governance in the country, their eyes is beamed on individuals with sound track record and capacity to sacrifice, lay down their lives for others, saying governance is about feeling the pulse of the people and delivering dividends of democracy to them.

He reiterated that Martins Apugo is a round peg in a round hole, begging him not to shun this call to run for the seat in 2027 even as the group assured that it will render the necessary support and advise if he finally decides to heed this call of running for the seat.

Aloysius said, “As an advocacy group, who do not just endorse or beckon people to run for seats. There are certain parameters to look at. We consider the person’s ability to sacrifice his own comfort for others. There is no rocket science about leadership, if you are not a leader, no matter how you try to force it, it will be difficult to feel the pulse of the people which is why we are where we are today.

“Most of the people we have today as leaders in the country are not actually leaders, they are after themselves. I make bold to say it this day, that Ikechukwu Martins Apugo (Leader) has the capacity of a leader. He has shown it severally, apart from going by the name Leader, he is indeed a leader who should represent the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives come 2027.”

He consistently begged Martins Apugo not to turn down this call, insisting that opinions sampled shows that the people are already in support and will not hesitate to give him their votes come 2027.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the AGG, Emeka Nzemadu, aligned with the position of the President of the group, adding that testimonies abound that Martins Apugo has the capacity to represent the people of the Constituency while also providing them with dividends of democracy, urging him not to turn down this call to serve his people.

Responding, Ikechukwu Martins Apugo (Leader), appreciated AGG for upholding democratic ideals, admitting that it is important in a democracy to always hold public office holders accountable. He commended the group for visiting him.

Martins Apugo, who was surprised about the call of the group for him to run, also recalled that he ran for the same position in the 2019 general election, stating that for now, he has not decided if he was going to run to represent Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, come 2027.

He stated, ” I am indeed overwhelmed to receive this kind of mammoth crowd in my residence. I also want to commend the CGG, for upholding democratic values. Mine is to appeal that you continuously hold leaders accountable and make them alive to their responsibilities of providing dividends of democracy to the people.”

On appeals by the AGG for him to run for the member to represent Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in 2027, he said, “I must be frank with you, I have not given it a thought, may be I will start thinking about it after you have left. I did the same thing in 2019, am sure you are aware. I will do a whole lot of consultations and seek opinions before I decide whether to run or not.”

He commended the group for reaching out to him, assuring that he will continue reaching out to people in dire need as well as continue sacrificing more for humanity and the downtrodden.

Reacting to the massive turnaround Abia State has witnessed under Governor Alex Otti, Martins Apugo lauded the Governor for the massive infrastructural developments going on in Abia under him, saying the State has not had it this good since its 34 years of creation.

He appreciated the level of cleanliness in the state, emphasizing that Abia, particularly Aba referred to as the dirtiest city in Nigeria, is now wearing good look courtesy of the purposeful leadership of Governor Alex Otti just as he commended him for offsetting pension arrears and paying workers regularly as promised