By, Chimezie Ezeji
High Chief Dr. Chijioke Kaduru, popularly known as Nkwa Chi Kwere 1, has re-echoed his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), throwing his weight behind the party’s candidates, including Prince (Dr.) Alex Mbata for Owerri Zone Senate and Hon. Barr. Pat Ekeji for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency.
Kaduru’s renewed declaration followed a meeting of APC stakeholders from Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise Local Government Areas held on Thursday, September 24, at the residence of High Chief Kingsley Dikibo, Ebube Mba 1 of Ngor Okpala.
The meeting attracted APC stakeholders from Aboh Mbaise and Ngor Okpala, who reached a consensus to work for the success of the party and its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Kaduru, who was represented at the meeting by the Director-General of the Nkwa Chi Kwere Organisation, Hon. Chukwuma Anuforo, said his political structure remains committed to the APC and the success of its candidates.
He specifically reaffirmed his support for the APC senatorial candidate for Owerri Zone, Prince (Dr.) Alex Mbata, and the party’s candidate for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Hon. Barr. Pat Ekeji, urging his supporters and members of the Nkwa Chi Kwere political family to work for them and other APC candidates.
Kaduru said the time had come for party leaders, stakeholders and members to put aside differences, close ranks and mobilise from polling unit to polling unit, ward to ward and community to community.
According to him, APC leaders in Ngor Okpala have spoken with confidence and are determined to strengthen the party across the entire local government area.
“Our leaders in Ngor Okpala APC have spoken in one voice and with utmost confidence. We are determined to take the message of our party and our candidates to every ward, community, village and household. APC is at the corner of every home in Ngor Okpala; it is grassroots-oriented and formidable,” Kaduru said through his representative.
He described Mbata’s candidacy as a collective APC project that deserves the support of party members across Owerri Zone, maintaining that his decision to support him is in line with his commitment to party unity and respect for the decisions of the APC leadership.
Kaduru equally rallied support for Hon. Barr. Pat Ekeji, describing the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency election as another important contest in which APC members in the two local government areas must work together.
He called on members of the Nkwa Chi Kwere Organisation, his political associates, supporters and well-wishers across Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise to mobilise for Ekeji, Mbata and other candidates of the APC.
According to Kaduru, his support is not merely about making political declarations but about working at the grassroots to strengthen the party, engage the electorate and build unity among members.
“We are supporting Prince Alex Mbata for the Senate; we are supporting Hon. Barr. Pat Ekeji for the House of Representatives, and we are supporting the candidates of our great party. Our political family will work with the party leadership and other stakeholders to strengthen APC at the grassroots,” he said.
Kaduru maintained that unity would be critical to the party’s performance, urging members to avoid internal disagreements capable of distracting them from their mobilisation efforts.
He further described APC as a political platform which, in his view, has provided opportunities for participation, grassroots mobilisation and political inclusion, saying members should focus on consolidating the party’s structures across the communities.
He also urged the party leadership and candidates to continue engaging young people, women, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders, noting that grassroots politics should involve continuous interaction with the people.
“The broom is the symbol; APC is the party. We have chosen to stand with our party and its candidates. Our duty now is to go back to our communities, wards and polling units and continue engaging our people,” Kaduru stated.
He commended the stakeholders from Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise for what he described as their commitment to dialogue, consensus and party unity.
Kaduru assured the APC leadership that the Nkwa Chi Kwere Organisation would continue to play its role in mobilising and strengthening the party, while working with other stakeholders towards the success of Mbata, Ekeji and other APC candidates.
The stakeholders at the meeting also reaffirmed their commitment to the party and its candidates, with emphasis on grassroots mobilisation and strengthening APC structures across Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise.
