Ogah’s Enduring Sacrifices for Ebonyi APC
Ben Nworie writes on the the indelible efforts made to bring APC to limelight in Ebonyi state by the member representing Ezza South and Ikwo Federal Constituency, Comrade Chinedu Ogah.
The All Progressives Congress has come to stay in Ebonyi state, dislodging the stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party after over 15 years of reign in the state. Initially, it was as if APC signified “evil” in Ebonyi politics. It was cajoled by the former PDP players who are now the leaders of APC in Ebonyi state.
However, the success story of APC in Ebonyi state was the making of Comrade Chinedu Ogah, the pioneer National president of Ebonyi youths Assembly. Through this body, Ogah rallied youths around, coordinating it as extension of the then government of Chief Martin Elechi, to assist the youths and vulnerable persons in the state.
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In 2015 general election, Ogah became the light of APC in Ebonyi, shining across Ezza south and Ikwo Federal Constituency. Dared all odds, he stood his ground to present APC as veritable platform to execute his House of Representatives ambition.
Though, the mandate was denied of him but his perseverance emboldened him to reclaim his mandate from the Tribunal and subsequently rectified by the Court of Appeal. This uncommon progress made the APC have inroad into the most stronghold of PDP in the Nation. It was a “war” especially when propaganda of the then PDP reduced APC as a “fulani” political party.
But as time drew closer to the 2015 general election, the people began to saw hope in the APC through the popularity and widespread acceptance of Comrade Chinedu Ogah. In the green chamber of the National Assembly, Ogah became a shining example to all including his superiors from the state. As the only political office holder of the APC, he laboured so hard to sustain his numerous supporters and other leaders of the party.
His resilience gave berth to the today’s APC which has become a beautiful bride to all politicians in Ebonyi state. Many of these latter rain politicians never saw Ogah’s vision for APC. They cajoled him. They mocked him. They even referred APC as the routine drug used for headache while others intuited that the only APC known to them was the Armoured Personel Carriers used by security agencies.
The Ogah’s APC has grown in strength and population. Many politicians from other political parties now struggle to join the same APC. Though to them, they have found safe haven in the party and have suddenly discovered the “darkness” in the PDP.
To say the obvious, Ogah is proud of the APC. He still works hard to promote his party beyond his state and even across the southeast region. His empowerment drives are unique selling points for his party.
During his 48th birthday, Ogah painted his town red, adorning his party in all the nooks and crannies of his constituency and the state capital.
The birthday attracted friends, colleagues and associates from all walks of life. Each of the activities lined up for the celebration was anchored on empowerment. First, he started with visit to orphanage home, motherless babies, vulnerable, labourers and inmates.
At each of these visits, Ogah distributed materials, food and food items, huge amounts of money to them. It was a carnival of sort at these places. Many people shared testimonies about the good works and generosity of Ogah.
Although, this generosity seems inborn. His rapid growth in politics was because of his philanthropy. As it stands now, every community in Ebonyi state has touch of Ogah’s generosity and benevolence. It could be either payment of school fees, or payment of hospital bills or securing of employment opportunities or grants for business or skill acquisition.
Three days of activities lined up for the birthday were dedicated for commissioning of projects in Ezza south and Ikwo council areas. Many Nigerian leaders including the Speaker of House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim; Governor Francis Nwifuru and indeed others who participated in the activities and project commissioning described Ogah as one of the performing lawmakers and good representatives worthy of emulation.
It has also been advocated in many quarters that Ogah is a major player of the APC that should never been taken for granted in the state.
