*OTHER GROUPS ALSO URGE HIM TO RUN FOR GOVERNORSHIP
The first Mbaise Town Hall Meeting was held last Saturday, the 19th of November, 2022 which witnessed a landmark endorsement by the people of Mbaise nation in general, giving their unalloyed support to one of the illustrious sons in the person of Sir Basil Udochukwu Maduka to vie for the governorship of Imo State in 2023 election.
The occasion which took place at the prestigious Events Hall of Chris VI Hotels & Resort, Ahiara Junction, along Mbaise - Umuahia road, was witnessed by Mbaise Traditional Rulers, stakeholders, leaders and Mbaise progressives from across political leanings.
The event was chaired by Eze-elect, Professor Mark Odu. In his opening remarks, Professor Odu stated that he and the entire Traditional Rulers in Mbaise and other leaders of thought would appreciate one of their sons being the next governor of Imo State.
He described Sir Maduka as a true son of Mbaise who knew the importance of advice from his "immediate family" (Mbaise nation) stating that charity should always begin at home. He also commended Maduka for starting his consultation with his people instead of jumping the gun from outside.
According to him, seeking the blessings of your people remains the best political landmark because, if your people ask you to go ahead, then the coast would be clear for you.
Sir Maduka while addressing the mammoth crowd expressed gratitude to the people for honouring the invitation at such short notice. He went further to state that the town hall meeting was to seek the candid advice of progressive-minded leaders, traditional rulers and stakeholders of the Mbaise nation from across political leanings before going into the "ring".
Maduka decried the level of decay in Imo State, stating that insecurity, kidnapping and restiveness ravaging the State are caused by selfishness in leadership and bad governance, adding that lack of employment of the teeming youths contributes largely to the problem.
He stated that the State would move forward when the right leader emerges who is ready to think out of the box instead of relying mostly on monthly Federal allocation, which would not solve the problem.
He went further to inform his listeners that Imo State needs a core administrator of human and material resources to revive the ugly developments in our dear State. Sir Maduka who is a well-known employer of labour lamented the situation whereby those in the mantle of leadership in Imo today could not state their second address before venturing into leadership positions.
Addressing participants at the event, High Chief Hon. Chidi Ibe, a former three-time Commissioner in the State thanked the people for honouring Sir Maduka, stating that the convened town hall meeting was to consult with his people as an illustrious son of Mbaise Nation. Speaker after speaker eulogized the humility of Maduka, an Oil and Gas Industry guru, despite his humongous resources earned by dint of hard work.
Different groups used the occasion to urge him to run for Imo Guber in the forthcoming November, 2023 election. The groups urged good spirited individuals like Sir Maduka not to take a back seat as far as Imo governance was concerned.
Amongst those who were in attendance was Hon. Chief Alan B Onyemaechi, who was the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Ichie Ken Agbim, former Member, Imo House of Assembly (Ahiazu State Constituency), their Royal Highnesses Eze J. B. Ochulor (Otulu Amumara) Eze B. O. Ikpegbu ( Agu-na-ebere Eziagbogu), Eze Barr. I.O.A. Ekeocha, Eze Barr. Steve Azubuiñe (Obizi), Eze Dr. Pat Ihuoma (Otulu, Ahiara) amongst others.
Also present were Chief Innocent Ekweariri, Nze Barr. Robert Ahaneku (Ochualili), Amb. Darlington Ifeanyi Amaechi (Labour Party Candidate for Ahiazu-Ezinihitte Federal Constituency), Engr. Kingsley Onwubiko (Labour Party Candidate for Ezinihitte State Constituency) Hon. Paschall (Labour Party Candidate Ahiazu State Constituency), Chief Anthony Okeiyi, Chief Jezreel Eke, Mazi Chris Okoronkwo, Sir Amby Uneze, Chief Larry Nworuh, and others too many to be listed.
The event's climax was the blessing of Sir Basil Maduka by the Mbaise Traditional Rulers. Obiwuruotu Abigbo Eziudo, Ezinihitte entertained the crowd with its scintillating performance.
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