For the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency, Hon Chinedum Orji, it is a red card from the youth activist and social media influencer, Chika ‘Omenanwata’ Ishionwu who on Wednesday slammed him for not delivering on his electoral promises. He also announced his resignation from PDP and withdrawal of support for all their candidates.
In a post which has gone viral on several Ikwuano social media platforms, Ishionwu lamented that the Abia Speaker's inability to keep to his promises has caused him loss of face in his ward and amongst his followers.
"The failure to deliver on promises made especially by my big brother, Engr. Chinedu Orji, has become a huge embarrassment to me and has caused me many sleepless nights especially considering the fact I had at various times assured everyone around me and everyone that in any way believes in me that all promises made would be kept. Being a man of my words and also because I pride myself as not being the typical ‘Nigerian politician’ It has become imperative I review certain things", Ishionwu stated even as he announced his resignation from the PDP and support for any of its candidates.
However in an obvious attempt to repudiate the post, a supporter of the PDP candidate, Henry Ugwunna described the Abia Speaker as a man of his words. Ugwunna in his post stated: "Obviously, Ariam-Usaka has started this year in a good note. As we are glad to inform everybody that Mr Speaker has made good his promise of sending the sum of N750,000 for the installation of Obeama and Ekpiri Elu Elu electricity project"
Dailyledger.com.ng reports that Ikwuano LGA may deliver the deciding votes in the House of Representatives election as it has no candidate for the position, therefore there is a scramble for votes in the LGA.
However, Ishionwu appeared to have stirred the hornets' best as reactions on his post are applauding him.
The activist who campaigns with the hastag: FUBU - For Us, By Us - stated: "After very deep reflections and subsequent due consultation with my youths, members of my team and my dear wife I have come to a conclusion.
"As much as I appreciate the efforts of Mr Speaker, Engr Chinedu Orji, I am one of the few people involved in politics that believes a promise made should be a promise kept. In the light of this I cannot guarantee My 100% support for all PDP candidates in the upcoming elections and consider the moral burden of supporting candidates that failed on their promises made to me when I joined the party one too huge to bear.
"I have for the above reasons decided to withdraw my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. A party I joined in 2011 as a bright-eyed 24 year old with hopes for a better Nigeria.
"As much as the temptation exists to join a different party I would however stay away from partisan politics ‘for now’ until the time is right. However I would continue using my FUBU and A Better Abia For Us, ABAFU teams to support ‘credible candidates’ across board after all Oganiru Ikwuano/Umuahia has always and would always been my motive and I would gladly make myself available if at any point my people ask me to.
"Like I have always insisted the power of the people is much greater than the people in power"
It will be recalled that last year, another youth activist, Sunday Kasarachi had challenged his fellow youths to change their follow-follow approach to politics in view of failed promises from politicians.
"Yes, indeed I remembered and you will agree with me that the youth group has passed through a lot of promise and failed from the political elites more especially the nothing is too small leaders but the question is have we learn our lessons?
"We are now experiencing revolution all over the world more especially in our country (Nigeria) which is expected to go down to the states and LGAs, what is our plans towards this direction?
"The issue here is beyond party politics and should be addressed as such why are we still running back to this same people forming structure for them? Can't we reject them and their fake promises?
"Since the youth was abandoned by the so called seasonal politics have we not been feeding our families and other responsibilities? Why rush back to the same people again?
"I am so worried over Ikwuano backwardness politically to the extent that today we are happy having a Commissioner being a youth with the most sidelined and inactive office just to make sure that Ikwuano have its 'statutory' right.
"I want to challenge Ikwuano Youth Leaders to understand that we can join other well meaning Nigerians to reject those men", Kasarachi stated.
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