The contest for who represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber is as good as over following the entrance of known grassroot politician, Rt. Hon. Kanayo Oguakwa, popularly known as KGB Oguakwa, into the ring.
Call it a coincidence or providence, his name; KGB for short, can be likened to the Soviet Union’s Komitet Gosudarstvennoi Bezopasnosti (KGB)- the Intelligence and Internal Security Agency of the Soviet Union organised in 1954, as he exudes fierce loyalty and political wizardry which is putting his opponents in a disadvantaged position.
KGB Oguakwa, a household name in Oji-River and Greater Awgu, while speaking at a parley with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Oji-River LGA at his Independence Layout Enugu modest abode, announced his decision to return to the House of Representatives.
He stated that after consultations and partnership with his constituents, stakeholders and political leaders, he remains committed to the yearnings of the people of Greater Awgu, especially ndi Oji-River.
“I am seeking an honest partnership with each of you the Stakeholders. You are the first port of call. You are the pillars of the PDP. In theory, Delegates to every Primary belong to you. Nobody can do anything without you.
“My strong suits are loyalty, experience, competence, knowledge, honesty, inclusive mobilization, humility and unwavering hope and trust in God”, he said.
Assuring he won’t disappoint if elected, KGB Oguakwa said: “I am coming from a humble background. I am a son of Prof. James OGUAKWA. I am Ozo title holder, like my father. My uncles too are Ozo. In my community, Inyi, this title comes with humility and honesty.
“I learnt responsibility and charity from my parents who in their own time strove to assist our people with access to University Education and employment as well.
“I am therefore begging for your partnership. All of you here please be in partnership with me.
Some OjiRiver LGA Super Stakeholders at KGB’s Parley: L-R Lady Joy Odike a State Civil Service Commissioner; Mrs Onyefulu, PDP State Exco Member; Party Chieftain Chief Rochin Chukwumah;HRM Odibeze 1, Amaka Anajemba, MD ESWAMA; Ozo Dr. Rt Hon Barrister KGB Oguakwa ; & Mrs Ella Ugomsi a Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service.
“I am not arrogant. I am a focused and confident person. I only say no when no is necessary and unavoidable. I am accessible, a team player, I answer all calls or I return missed calls. I beg for your partnership, I plead for your prayers because without the Grace of God man can do nothing and in all that I do, accountability is always a priority.”
He commended them for holding fort all through the years without relent.
Barrister KGB Oguakwa told his guests that as a legislator from 2003-2011, he worked hard to enthrone or establish an efficient Civil Aviation system in Nigeria and has the enactment of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 to show for this focused effort .
“With all sense of humility, the safety and efficiency of the Civil Aviation sector today can be traced to my and my Committee’s commitment and determination.”
Rt. Honorable Oguakwa beat his chest and said “I was Chairman of the Aviation Committee and received pats on the back from both the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Masari and Aviation Stakeholders for the feats achieved in the sector.”
Oguakwa explained that diversifying from our Oil Economy was key with the Agriculture & Tourism Sectors as immediate drivers of such a national focus. Tourism cannot flourish without efficiency in Civil Aviation, for which his Committee worked hard resulting in the passage of the Civil Aviation act in Nigeria.
Speaking about the previously jinxed Oji-River- Achi- Awgu- Akaeze road, Oguakwa revealed that: “Senator Dr. Hyde Onuaguluchi should take the glory for putting the road in the federal budget.
A cross-section of stakeholders at the Parley
“It is not about noise making. After Senator Onuaguluchi put it in the budget, when we got to NASS we saw it already in there so we continued work on it but Obasanjo continued to frustrate it.”
Oguakwa narrated how he, along with some of his colleagues continued to try hard to have the highway rehabilitated. “God eventually answered our prayers since, thankfully, Government is a continuum”.
He lamented that certain politicians tried to take glory, even when they do little or nothing about projects being executed in their constituencies.
Elucidating his enormous achievements during his first stint at the House of Representatives, Oguakwa praised Presidents Yar’a’dua and Jonathan who he said began a “development-partnership” with the NASS stating that all the strides he made in healthcare, schools, water projects, tourism industry, and employment sectors for the constituents of our Federal Constituency were during that tenure.
He regaled, with the concurrence of a lot many Stakeholders in attendance, his personal efforts at directly empowering individual constituents, officials of the Party Structure throughout the Constituency throughout his tenure -employment, pilgrimages abroad, Skills acquisition schemes, keke napep tricycles, motorcycles, sewing machines & hairdressing equipment each went along with power generators, vehicles, barrows, etc-, including his being acclaimed as being synonymous with recurrent and regular cash gifts in “white envelopes”, which he described as his own acts of “rebellion” against Federal Government’s frustration by non or non-speedy implementation of many Constituency Projects.
KGB paid special tributes to Professor Cyril Agodi Onwumechili former Vice Chancellor University of Ife, Professor Dennis M. Ekpete, Professor S.C.Ukpabi, Senators B.C. Okwu, Prof S.E. Mgbejiofor & Rev Dr. Hyde Udeze Onuaguluchi; Ozo G.B.I. Ikedinma, Dr. Okay Cyril Igwe & Justice A.C. Orah, all of whom he described as legendary icons of Greater Awgu and whose legacies have provided constant sources of inspiration to him.
With thought provoking songs, Oguakwa paid special tribute to “my Leader, our Leader, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, my Governor, for his outstanding leadership qualities which have brought human and infrastructural development and he has, through his unique style, guaranteed peace throughout Enugu State”.
For him, the Enugu State helmsman has acquitted himself very creditably in all aspects of his Governorship and with great accomplishments.
In his response, the PDP Chairman in Oji-River, Hon. Godwin Aniekwe agreed with Hon. Oguakwa that Governor Ugwuanyi has raised the bar with superlative leadership and performance.
He also agreed that Party Stakeholders are pillars in any political space.
For Godwin Aniekwe, KGB is an enigmatic and experienced political guru capable of being trusted to make Oji-River proud.
“And he has started well. It is a good thing that so many have declared interest. This shows growth of the party.”
“With 20 Wards, we can’t be defeated again,” the Party Chairman said.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Tony-Manfred Nzekwe said he is proud of Oguakwa as a trusted political leader in Oji-River.
Admonishing other contestants, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe said, “Let us play politics without bitterness. Gossip should not be entertained, for it destroys unity of purpose.”
Referring to Oguakwa, he noted: “KGB is steadfast and believes in Oji-River Unity.”
Manfred-Nzekwe also commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for bequeathing and entrenching in Enugu State a culture of peace and love for one another.
Barr. Chuma Dilibe, the Administrator Oji-River Central Development Centre, started by reminding politicians that they are like houseflies, junketing from one spot to the other. He also noted that they, the politicians, belong to cliques for selfish gains.
For him, the gathering must recognise the presence of politicians known for double standards.
“We have to recognise all these.”
Specifically, Chuma Dilibe said: “Most important thing, let us negotiate with Aninri, and indeed Ndu Alike. Aninri believes that it is their turn.
“With numerous aspirants, how can we withstand one person or two from Alike? Therefore, let’s reach out,”
Hon. Ernest Nweze, pioneer Chairman PDP Oji-River & Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, insisted that by all political calculations, it is the turn of Oji-River to produce the next House of Reps Member after Hon. Toby Okechukwu from Awgu Alike.
That apart, Nweze believes tenaciously that KGB is eminently qualified to fly the flag.
He enjoined Oji-River stakeholders to sit back and take a look at the zoning arrangement in Oji-River to avoid friction and bickering in the future.
A former Councilor, Hon. Jonathan Uvukansi (a.k.a. Bomboy) in his contribution threatened to resign from politics if the scenario of 2019 at Awgu during which Oji-River lost out repeats itself.
Hon. Jonathan recalled that the candidate presented by Oji-River in the person of Dr. Okey Ibeabuchi was the toast of the Primary, but lamented that in spite of his popularity the powers that be snatched the victory in broad daylight.
Others who attended the session included former Chairmen of Oji-River Local Government, Hon. Boniface Uchendu, Hon. Ikechukwu Onyemaechi (Authentic Mayor) and Hon. Harrison Okeke (Harrimax); Member of PDP State Exco Hon Mrs. Uche Onyefulu; Her Royal Majesty Odibeze – Chief Mrs. Amaka Anajemba the Managing Director, ESWAMA; Commissioner, Civil Service Commission, Hon. Mrs.Joy Odike; Permanent Secretary Hon Mrs. Ella Ugomsi; Retired Permanent Secretary & Former Chief of Staff Government House Enugu, Chief Mrs. Sylvia Onwubuemeli, mni; MD Rochyn International, Chief Romanus Chukwuma; Ozo Barrister Anayo Onwumechili; Chief Emeka Igbosopulu; Nze Theo Onyebueke; former Chairman Mmam-River Development Centre, Hon. Livinus Nnolum; two former Vice Chairmen, Oji-River Local Government, Hon. Baldwin Amah and Hon. Ephraim Offiah; several Special Assistants to the Governor;among others.
