Ihiala Bloc Opposes Agbodike, Anambra Deputy Speaker’s Bid For House Of Reps.
The people of Ebonesie bloc in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra have opposed the ambition of Pascal Agbodike, the deputy speaker of Anambra House of Assembly to contest for Ihiala Federal Constituency Seat in the National Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Ebonesie comprising six communities in the LGA including Mbosi, Azia, Orsumohu, Ubuluisiuzor, Isekke and Lilu make up the Ihiala 11 State Constituency in Anambra House of Assembly.
They argued that Agbodike who had served two terms in the House of Assembly which was at variance with the internal rotation arrangement among the communities was displaying gross insensitivity and disrespect for the age long agreement that bound them together.
Chief Ken Maduakor, the Leader of APGA in Ebonesie who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting recently said the people of Ebonesie were deceived to support Agbodike in 2019 with the hope of producing the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly.
Maduakor said it was for the promise of producing a speaker that they asked every other aspirant in that election to step down their ambition and support the deputy speaker.
He said area was APGA stronghold and remained a critical factor in Ihiala elections adding that the six communities delivered the highest number of votes in the last November 2021 Governorship election.
According to him, “In Ebonesie, we have six communities Mbosi, Azia, Orsumohu, Ubuluisiuzor, Isekke and Lilu and we live like one big family. Whatever benefits that come to the area, we share it like brothers and sisters.
“Out of the six communities, only Orsumoghu and Ubuluisiuzor are yet to represent Ihiala Constituency II in the House of Assembly or any serious elective position.
“Even though people that indicated interest like Chief Linus Mbadugha, Barr Oti, Oguejiofor and Ozoigbo were all asked to step down for pascal in 2015 and 2019, yet Agbodike has nothing to show apart from colossal failure and purchase of choice properties all over Awka.
“He even owns a street called RT Hon Pascal Agbodike Close” along the revenue house in awka.
“In 2019, when people from Orsumoghu and Ubuluisiuzor started gearing up for the election, I was called by the leaders of Ebonesie, that we had the opportunity of producing the next Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly.
“That was the governor’s promise and that if we elect a new person, we will lose that opportunity.
“So, as the leader of all the President Generals of all the six communities, I convened a meeting with the traditional rulers and my colleagues and pleaded to everyone especially Orsumoghu and Ubuluisiuzor Towns.
“I told them to be patient so that we don’t lose the Speakership position and that before you know it, four years are gone, he lacks the capacity and personality to get such a position,” he said.
Maduakor said Agbodike has lost touch with the people of Ebonesie zone and has no single President General supporting him, contending that all major stakeholders have abandoned him because of his non performance.
He said it would be wrong for Agbodike to play on people’s emotions by aspiring for the House of Representatives on the grounds of equity when had violated the zoning arrangement for selfish reasons.
He said his performance at the Anambra House of Assembly had not qualified him for higher responsibility and rather, they would support Rep Chuddy Momah who was doing well.
“You are asking for equity because you want to contest for the House of Representatives, what about equity in the zone? He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
“Let Momah who has done well continue, you cannot stop him from going for a second term when you have gone for eight years yourself.
“Again we want a performer who has the capacity to win general elections because of the voting strength and performance, again all Okija people stepped down for Momah to be the sole candidate for Federal House.
“Therefore we endorse Momah over Agbodike for Ihiala Federal Constituency Seat in the 2023 election,” he said.
The stakeholders’ meeting had attendance stalwarts like Mbadugha (Limitraco), a former House of Assembly aspirant the six Presidents General of the communities in Ebonesie.
All APGA Former aspirants from Ebonesie zone, All the 20 ward Chairmen, 20 women leaders and 20 youth leaders, Chairman of Ihiala APGA, the APGAWoman leader in Ihiala LGA, the grassroots leader from Uli zone Chief Hippolite Ekwegbara,
Also present were member representing Ihiala Constituency 1 in the Anambra House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Udemadu, Dikedioranma Orsumoghu, Hon Collins Agbasiere Eze who represented Oluoha of Ihiala and all All APGA former ward chairmen in the Ihiala LGA.
