A community leader, Engr. Edozie Richard Imah has called on the people of Mbala Isuochi in the UmunneochiLocal Government Area of Abia State to wake up from their slumber and participate actively in the build-up to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

Engr. Imah spoke at the first Mbala political summit which held recently at his palatial home at Umuobasi MbalaIsuochi, in the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

He said it is regrettable that Mbala people have been crying of marginalization by both political representatives and successive governments in Abia State and yet, the people and indeed those who matter in the community hardly show little or no interest in political activities in the state.

Imah, who is the founder of “Support Our Own Initiative”recalled that it was in line with the spirit of supporting Umunneochi people in their political exploits that the Support Our Own Initiative platform was formed to promote the political aspiration of Hon. NkeirukaOnyejeocha of the Federal House of Representatives during the 2019 general elections.

“Every day we lament that we are marginalized, that we do not see any government presence in our area. Yet, when it’s time for politics, you don’t see our people. And the small number that comes out, is often maligned, castigated and run down,” he said.

Imah, who is also a renowned politician and mobiliser in Umunneochi LGA recalled that in the past, Mbala used to be Isuochi political pacesetter, dictating the political direction of the town as well as laying claim to producing some of the finest politicians in the area.

“In the past, Mbala set the pace in politicking in Umunneochi. It was the time we had a generation of politically active people who saw political power as the fastest enhancer of community development and economic empowerment.

“Today, we have regrettably abandoned that path. And that is why I convened this political summit so that we can honestly tell ourselves the truth, look at where the rain started beating us; and then chart a new political course.

“The political summit is the first in the series lined up this year. My aim is to galvanise as well as mobilise our people to take active part in all political activities taking place in Isuochi, Umunneochi and Abia State as we get ready for 2023. We have both the intellectual and financial wherewithal to make this happen; and that journey must start now,” Imah charged.

In a keynote address at the occasion, former governorship aspirant in Abia State, Surv. Ike Orika recalled that it was the ‘I can do it’ spirit in Mbala people that drove him into coming out to aspire to become the governor of Abia State at the return of democratic rule in Nigeria.

Surv. Orika noted that the greatest challenge faced by Mbala people in the politics of Umunneochi and indeed, Abia State is the people’s apathy towards politics and insisted that as long as this attitude is sustained, Mbalawill continue to lag behind in Umunneochi nay Abiapolitics.

“Mbala is blessed with both the human and financial resources needed to become a political power house in this part of the country. What we need is for our people to always show interest in politics, participate in political activities and support our sons and daughters who emerge for elective positions,” he said.

Citing his experience as a case study, Orika enjoined Mbala people to eschew politics of bitterness, and the pull him down syndrome synonymous with politicians and their followers in Mbala and admitted that a politically united Mbala would once become a political force in Umunneochi.

“My experience while aspiring to become the governor of the State was quite sore. I suffered character attacks from our own people. Some people went out to collect money from our opponents to fight their own brother and sabotage our efforts.

“We told other parts of Isuochi and Umunneochi that an Umunneochi person can aspire to the highest office in the State. We were focused at achieving our goal then in spite of the opposition coming from our own people then, he said. 

Surv. Orika, therefore, called on Mbala people to close ranks irrespective of political affiliation and sponsor and support candidates of Mbala extraction in the leading political parties in the next general elections billed for 2023.

Others who spoke at the summit include the traditional ruler of Umucha Autonomous Community, Eze Obi Egbo, Chief Richard Ikpe, Chief Mbaraonye Obialor, Hon Mike Ezeh, Sir Richard Imah, Major Sam Ejim (rtd), Comrade Ibe Obialor, Hon Chimaoge Ibeh among others. 

The summit was chaired by His Royal Highness, Eze Obi Egbo, Chatu 1 of Umucha Autonomous Community and was witnessed by other dignitaries including Chief Kingsley Madu (Ohamadike) and politicians from across the different political parties in the State.