In the early hours of Thursday, March 3, 2016 I was informed by a leader of the PDP Social Media Directorate that I would be part of the PDP Social Media situation team to travel to Abia state for the Abia North Senatorial re-run election involving PDP's candidate Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and other contestants including PPA's Orji Uzor Kalu, APGA's Dr. David Onuoha-Bourdex and APC's Nnenna Nma Okoro. The election was scheduled on Saturday(March 5), while I and other team members were supposed to be in Abia state latest on Friday afternoon.
While preparing to leave Lagos state for Abia state, I kept wondering whether I can do the task. I have never monitored election situation before on behalf of any interest group, not to talk of doing same in an area that wasn't a 'comfort zone' for me. That was indeed a challenge for me. At this juncture, I have to give credit to Mr Newman Ubani, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Abia state Governor Ikezie Okpeazu, for his continuous assurance of myself and members of the team of a memorable outing in Abia state. Another person worthy of commendation is Ikechukwu Iroha, an Aide of Newman Ubani. Ike called me while I was in Lagos and kept calling to check on my state of mind as I was about to embark on the Journey.
From Lagos To Abia state
On Friday morning at 4:30AM, I embarked on the road trip to Umuahia, Abia state so as to meet up with members of the team led by Prince Deji Adeyanju, the PDP New Media Director. The SSA Ubani and Ikechukwu continuously inquired of my state all through the trip. I felt so loved and wanted. I entered Umuahia at 4:09PM and I was greeted with a state that is highly misrepresented in the media. Abia state appeared peaceful but I kept wondering the reason behind miitary check points. At 4:15PM I was in Abia Line park in Umuahia, before getting to the park I was informed that the team have left Umuahia for Arochuckwu. That means I'd have to move to Aro(as it is fondly called). Ikechukwu apologised for not being able to pick me at Umuahia but assured me that my trip to Aro won't be trouble. Francisca, a member of the team informed me that I would board bus going to Aro at Aba park in Umuahia. At Abia line park, I met a boy named Chris and asked him to connect me to a tricycle(keke) that will take me to Aba park. Chris said, "Dei(meaning senior), Aba park no far na, we fit wakar go there". He accompanied me to the park and it was only less than 3minutes walk. I offered him N500 for the troubles but he declined respectfully saying that he's helping me for the love of God.
I boarded bus to Aro and while in the bus, I could hear the driver and other passengers discussing in Igbo language, but I could figure that it was connected with the election as they kept mentioning the names of Uzor Kalu, Mao and Bourdex. The road to Aro was in a sorry state(unlike what I saw in Umuahia), I asked the driver that "oga why una road to Aro de bad like dis", the man first response was to heap curse on Uzor Kalu(because he was from the zone). In the bus, I tried to inquire their preferred candidate and I couldn't believe when the name of Sen Mao of PDP was echoed by most passengers, whilea few echoed Bourdex(APGA). Not a single soul mentioned Nnenna of APC or OUK of PPA. According to them, OUK was insensitive and APC will not win a single election in Abia state. I asked of their assessment of Gov Okezie Ikpeazu and the passengers were singing his praise for the transformation of Abia state especialy Abangwa(Aba).
At Arochukwu...
On getting to Aro at 7:59PM, I was received by Deji Adeyanju, the indefatigable Sola Kuti(SK) and other members of the team including Marvin, Francisca, Uche, Justice and a member of Abia Online. Mr Uche, an Aide of Senator Mao, as well as an Aide of Governor Ikpeazu admonished us that they aren't desperate to win the poll but we should ensure that we don't condone irregularity in our situation report. Sen Mao told us that power is given by God and the people, hence, we should let the people's will be reflected. It was so rare to see a Naija politician make such pronouncement. I admired the calm of the Senator and his associates. SSA Ubani, Ikechuckwu and their Abia Online team were busy updating Abians through the Abia Online platform on Facebook and Twitter. I pleaded with them to consider opening an account on Nairaland forum so as to update Abians and get feedback(they are indeed doing great job on Facebook and Twitter). Deji, our team leader was so brotherly and made everyone felt like equals even when someone like me is the least in "class" among the group.
Election and Post Election Events
The next day was election day and we were all set. We monitored the situation Polling booth by booth, ward by ward and LGA by LGA. There was 5 LGAs in Abia North. From the results, Sen Mao was in comfortable lead in four LGAs including his Arochuckwu LGA, while we weren't able to get the result of Bende LGA that Saturday night. However, we were able to get the result of two wards in Bende, which were both won comfortably by Senator Mao of PDP. We slept that night only to wake up to hear that Uzor Kalu of PPA had manufactured 14,000 votes from Bende alone to reduce Senator Mao's led to just 192 votes. That was a clear case of fraud as NO single LG returned up to 8,000 votes, so why Mende when Mende wasn't even the most populated? Another funny thing was that The Sun Newspaper owned by Kalu and BreakingTimes were publishing that the election has been declared inconclusive when INEC's returning officer was yet to make pronouncement. We called the attention of INEC and the masses to that illegal act and as God will have it, Senator Mao was declared winner and returned as Senator to represent Abia North in the 8th Senate. It was indeed a victory for the people. Ikechukwu was a walkaholic. He took the team around and never had time for himself.
Abia State Is Working
That said, what surprised me most wasn't even the election victory, neither was it the fact that APC couldn't score up to 1,000 vote in the rerun election. What surprised most me was the look of Abia state in all sectors under Ikpeazu and the accommodating spirit of Abians. I had to spend the night in Umuahia with members of the team, while Deji and Justice flew to Abuja to meet up with a court case that was scheduled on Monday, I felt so much at home. The next day, I embarked on my journey to Lagos, and arrived safely. Abians are blessed!
Vote Of Thanks
I am most grateful to Deji for such rare opportunity, to oga Churchill, Sir Sola Kuti(SK), SSA Ubani and his Abia online team, Ikechukwu, my team members Uche, Marvin, Francisca and Justice for their support and cooperation, and the PDP family for their brotherhood and prayer. Thanks also to Abia state government and the humble Senator Mao, and his associates that made me feel like an equal in their midst.
I shall not forget to thank Mr Seun Osewa for giving me the opportunity to be known through his platform, his moderators, and esteemed Nairalanders for their support all through the years.
I shall remain a proud Ambassador of Nairaland!!!!!!!
May God Bless Us All and Bless Abia state
While preparing to leave Lagos state for Abia state, I kept wondering whether I can do the task. I have never monitored election situation before on behalf of any interest group, not to talk of doing same in an area that wasn't a 'comfort zone' for me. That was indeed a challenge for me. At this juncture, I have to give credit to Mr Newman Ubani, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Abia state Governor Ikezie Okpeazu, for his continuous assurance of myself and members of the team of a memorable outing in Abia state. Another person worthy of commendation is Ikechukwu Iroha, an Aide of Newman Ubani. Ike called me while I was in Lagos and kept calling to check on my state of mind as I was about to embark on the Journey.
From Lagos To Abia state
On Friday morning at 4:30AM, I embarked on the road trip to Umuahia, Abia state so as to meet up with members of the team led by Prince Deji Adeyanju, the PDP New Media Director. The SSA Ubani and Ikechukwu continuously inquired of my state all through the trip. I felt so loved and wanted. I entered Umuahia at 4:09PM and I was greeted with a state that is highly misrepresented in the media. Abia state appeared peaceful but I kept wondering the reason behind miitary check points. At 4:15PM I was in Abia Line park in Umuahia, before getting to the park I was informed that the team have left Umuahia for Arochuckwu. That means I'd have to move to Aro(as it is fondly called). Ikechukwu apologised for not being able to pick me at Umuahia but assured me that my trip to Aro won't be trouble. Francisca, a member of the team informed me that I would board bus going to Aro at Aba park in Umuahia. At Abia line park, I met a boy named Chris and asked him to connect me to a tricycle(keke) that will take me to Aba park. Chris said, "Dei(meaning senior), Aba park no far na, we fit wakar go there". He accompanied me to the park and it was only less than 3minutes walk. I offered him N500 for the troubles but he declined respectfully saying that he's helping me for the love of God.
I boarded bus to Aro and while in the bus, I could hear the driver and other passengers discussing in Igbo language, but I could figure that it was connected with the election as they kept mentioning the names of Uzor Kalu, Mao and Bourdex. The road to Aro was in a sorry state(unlike what I saw in Umuahia), I asked the driver that "oga why una road to Aro de bad like dis", the man first response was to heap curse on Uzor Kalu(because he was from the zone). In the bus, I tried to inquire their preferred candidate and I couldn't believe when the name of Sen Mao of PDP was echoed by most passengers, whilea few echoed Bourdex(APGA). Not a single soul mentioned Nnenna of APC or OUK of PPA. According to them, OUK was insensitive and APC will not win a single election in Abia state. I asked of their assessment of Gov Okezie Ikpeazu and the passengers were singing his praise for the transformation of Abia state especialy Abangwa(Aba).
At Arochukwu...
On getting to Aro at 7:59PM, I was received by Deji Adeyanju, the indefatigable Sola Kuti(SK) and other members of the team including Marvin, Francisca, Uche, Justice and a member of Abia Online. Mr Uche, an Aide of Senator Mao, as well as an Aide of Governor Ikpeazu admonished us that they aren't desperate to win the poll but we should ensure that we don't condone irregularity in our situation report. Sen Mao told us that power is given by God and the people, hence, we should let the people's will be reflected. It was so rare to see a Naija politician make such pronouncement. I admired the calm of the Senator and his associates. SSA Ubani, Ikechuckwu and their Abia Online team were busy updating Abians through the Abia Online platform on Facebook and Twitter. I pleaded with them to consider opening an account on Nairaland forum so as to update Abians and get feedback(they are indeed doing great job on Facebook and Twitter). Deji, our team leader was so brotherly and made everyone felt like equals even when someone like me is the least in "class" among the group.
Election and Post Election Events
The next day was election day and we were all set. We monitored the situation Polling booth by booth, ward by ward and LGA by LGA. There was 5 LGAs in Abia North. From the results, Sen Mao was in comfortable lead in four LGAs including his Arochuckwu LGA, while we weren't able to get the result of Bende LGA that Saturday night. However, we were able to get the result of two wards in Bende, which were both won comfortably by Senator Mao of PDP. We slept that night only to wake up to hear that Uzor Kalu of PPA had manufactured 14,000 votes from Bende alone to reduce Senator Mao's led to just 192 votes. That was a clear case of fraud as NO single LG returned up to 8,000 votes, so why Mende when Mende wasn't even the most populated? Another funny thing was that The Sun Newspaper owned by Kalu and BreakingTimes were publishing that the election has been declared inconclusive when INEC's returning officer was yet to make pronouncement. We called the attention of INEC and the masses to that illegal act and as God will have it, Senator Mao was declared winner and returned as Senator to represent Abia North in the 8th Senate. It was indeed a victory for the people. Ikechukwu was a walkaholic. He took the team around and never had time for himself.
Abia State Is Working
That said, what surprised me most wasn't even the election victory, neither was it the fact that APC couldn't score up to 1,000 vote in the rerun election. What surprised most me was the look of Abia state in all sectors under Ikpeazu and the accommodating spirit of Abians. I had to spend the night in Umuahia with members of the team, while Deji and Justice flew to Abuja to meet up with a court case that was scheduled on Monday, I felt so much at home. The next day, I embarked on my journey to Lagos, and arrived safely. Abians are blessed!
Vote Of Thanks
I am most grateful to Deji for such rare opportunity, to oga Churchill, Sir Sola Kuti(SK), SSA Ubani and his Abia online team, Ikechukwu, my team members Uche, Marvin, Francisca and Justice for their support and cooperation, and the PDP family for their brotherhood and prayer. Thanks also to Abia state government and the humble Senator Mao, and his associates that made me feel like an equal in their midst.
I shall not forget to thank Mr Seun Osewa for giving me the opportunity to be known through his platform, his moderators, and esteemed Nairalanders for their support all through the years.
I shall remain a proud Ambassador of Nairaland!!!!!!!
May God Bless Us All and Bless Abia state
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