…as Okonkwo explains gift of cows to PGs, rulers
By Toby Chuks
Barely six months to the missionary journey of Senator Victor Umeh and Hon Uche Harris Okonkwo to the Senate and House of Representatives at the National Assembly in Abuja under the platform of Labour Party reports gathered by our correspondent have it that their Constituents have given them pass mark following their performance.
Note that Senator Umeh is representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the Senate while Hon Okonkwo is representing Idemili North/South Federal Constituency also in Anambra Central in the Federal House of Representatives.
Our correspondent who monitored the view of the people over Senator Umeh and Hon Okonkwo in past weeks reports that the Constituents were pleased with their performance most particularly in the areas of giving them attention when called upon, participation in the affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives and effective oversight functions in tune with their campaign promises.
The Constituents which include community leaders, church leaders, landords, traders, market women/Christian mothers, civil servants and the youth who spoke to our correspondent posited that so far so good Umeh and Okonkwo have done so wonderful well. A community leader in Odume Layout Obosi Prince Austine Onyekaba described Senator Umeh’s performance as sparkling adding that he was not suprised as Umeh is equal to the task.
“So far Umeh’s performance in standing for Anambra Central and Ndigbo in general is sparkling but I am not surprised because he went there well prepared with enough experience for the job. He is living up to our expectations. He said during campaign that he is going to stand for Ndigbo and he is just doing that, so for me I am giving him a huge pass mark so far” he added
Also speaking a cleric in Ogidi Bishop Norman Okeorimili who is the presiding Bishop of UniFaith Living Church Ogidi observed that both Umeh and Okonkwo are lively up and doing in National Assembly and consequently making positive impact on the Constituens in the areas of carrying them along, giving them attention and sense of belonging as well as raising hope of better days ahead.
Bishop Okeorimili went further “Even though it is too early to judge their performance, I will give them pass mark because by my observation and assessment Umeh and Okonkwo have the concern and commitment to give us quality representation and we are already feeling their impact in so many areas which include standing for our interest as Constituents in particular and Ndigbo in general, giving us a listening ear and being available when they are needed”
Corroborating the speakers in her own view a Christian mother at Nkpor Madam Jessica Okudo who is also a community leader and chieftain of Labor Party observed that Umeh and Okonkwo deserve pass Mark as according to her the way Umeh and Okonkwo work in Abuja and move around town to attend functions, to meet with the people show that they are dedicated to give their best for the Constituents in particular and Nigeria in general.
On the allegation making round that Hon Okonkwo did not provide any palliative for Constituents during Christmas and New year Madam Okudo dismmised the allegation with a mere wave of hands admting with fact that he received palliative from Hon Okonkwo which include a bag of rice, a keg of groundnut oil and token of cash.
According to her “anybody spreading news that Hon Uche Okonkwo did not distribute palliative is a big liar because I am a living beneficiary. I am from Nkpor and other people from all parts of Idemili North/South went to Ojoto at different points to receive palliatives”
Our correspondent who went round confirmed that the Ojoto born lawmaker actually distributed palliative at his residents in Ojoto to over 5000 Constituents cutting across the 24wards in Idemili North/South. When contacted to hear from the horses mouth, Okonkwo dismissed the allegation saying that he has nothing to argue with anybody hence there were media people who took pictures of people coming to his house and going home with something. “The pictures and videos are there so nothing to argue” he added
The lawmaker admitted that he gifted 17 cows to the President Generals and traditional rulers of the 17 towns in Idemili North/South as Christmas gift to the community leaders in his Constituency adding that the cows were for the President Generals and traditional rulers only.
