There comes a time in a people’s life when differences give way to mutual cooperation; a time when experience necessitate corporate action toward collective self emancipation and the actualisation of long awaited dream, unhindered by sectional or parochial interests. Such a time seemed to have dawned for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu federal constituency of Ebonyi state. At the centre of this common interest is the urgent need to give victory to Chief Tochukwu Ogalagu to represent them at the green chambers of Nigeria’s National Assembly in 2027.
The two-local-government-area constituency, made up of 28 political wards: 15 in Ohaukwu and 13 in Ebonyi local government areas, is currently under the representation of a Pastor, Hon. Eze Nwachukwu Eze. But the constituents who seem to be dissatisfied with his representation have long been anticipating a credible change. Chief ogalagu’s declaration for the race became as cheering as a dream come true.
In spite of his post-declaration experiences which made him leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party platform to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the people’s support for Ogalagu have continued to rise in geometric proportion across the nooks and crannies of the constituency.
Undoubtedly, the APGA primary election held Thursday, May 28 for the constituency demonstrated once again the constituent’s love for the lawyer and renowned philanthropist, Ogalagu, whom they described as the only option for the actualisation of their vision of Eldorado representation. The primary election which was duly supervised by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saw Ogalagu sweep the polls to emerge the consensus APGA candidate for the constituency in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
The event also witnessed the confirmation of Chief Onyeoma Kelechi Agbo as the APGA sole candidate for Ohaukwu South state constituency.
Announcing the result, the Party’s constituency returning Officer, Joseph Elom, described the exercise as very peaceful and transparent, observing that there was no rival for Ogalagu in the party. That news, though anticipated was a soul-lifter for his teeming supporters from across the constituency who gathered at the Grace Garden and Event Centre, Ngbo in Ohaukwu LGA, venue of the event in solidarity with their man.
One of the National officers of the party, Eze-Oyebuchi Chukwu, the National Youth Leader who addressed journalists said the exercise was done in conformity with the provisions of the Electoral Act, and commended the party members for their conduct. Chukwu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria urged supporters to rally round the party and its candidates come 2027.
Amidst music, dances and solidarity songs, supporters from all the 28 wards of the constituency, including members of other political parties were vocal in declaring their support for Ogalagu beyond party lines. Some who spoke to newsmen including Jeremiah Ofoke and Martha Nwebonyi from Ebonyi LGA; Lucy Ogeh and Christian Ebenyi from Ohaukwu, enumerated some of values Ogalagu has added to the constituency without yet any elective position: giving of employment to over 1500 youths of the constituency, payment of WAEC registration fee for over 1000 students, free medical outreaches, massive youth and women empowerment, institutionalized healthcare and welfare packages for the aged and Indigents, among others.
They were unanimous in the assurance that Ogalagu will clinch victory, stressing that the 2027 election will respect no party but personality.
Ebenyi explained: “Ogalagu is a good man who has done a lot for us, more than any political office holder in this constituency. We are sure that when he gets to that position, we will gain more than we’ve had already from him.
“In this particular election, we have decided that we will put aside political party and join forces to ensure that Ogalagu becomes our representative. You can see this mammoth crowd of supporters, some of them here are from other political parties, but we are united under this common goal of ensuring victory for Tochukwu Ogalagu.”
For Tochukwu Ogalagu the candidate, the solidarity will not be in vain as he promised the constituents to expect a double portion of his philanthropy when elected.
“And I want to tell you that with help of our aging mothers, the natives and indigenous members of Ebonyi and Ohaukwu federal constituency, we are going to emerge victorious come 2027, by the grace of God. We have worked for humanity, and this is the time for humanity to pay us back.
“I want to tell my constituents that I will never disappoint them, and that I will continue to improve upon those things that made them troop out to support me” he said.
While he urged his constituents to support and vote massively for APGA for the federal and state constituency elections, he re-stated his support for Governor Francis Nwifuru of the APC for a second term as Governor.
He stressed: “I want to assure you that party is just a platform. It is individuals that make up the party.
“Let me also tell you that our party, APGA is progressive, and all the Progressives are working together. As we dont have a governorship candidate from our party, our support should go to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
“All we are asking you is to vote the candidates of APGA in their appearances and vote Governor Nwifuru for governorship” Ogalagu requested. He expressed confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct a free and fair election come 2027.
Indeed, when a people unite, nothing can be difficult for them to achieve.