It was jubilation galore across the entire Isu state constituency on Thursday, April 11, as virtually all the shakers and movers of Isu politics, stakeholders and people made a date with history at the Local Government headquarters of the state constituency to celebrate the defection of the immediate past House of Assembly member and now Commissioner – designate, Hon. Modestus Osakwe, whose defection from PDP to APC is viewed by most people as marking the official death of all opposition politics in Isu LGA.
The grand reception of Hon. Modestus Abiazie Osakwe who, until December last year, was the minority leader in the Imo state House of Assembly, was graced by past and present state legislators led by current Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. AmaraChyna Iwuanyanwu, Hon. Ngozi Obiefule, Hon. Uju Onwudiwe( Igolo Njaba), Hon. Eddie Obinna and others.
Among the top political leaders present were, Sir Martin Ejiogu( Ochendo), Chief Cosmas Maduba( Commissioner designate), Dr Ifeanyi Ekenasi, Hon. Ifeanyi Oguzie( immediate past Solad), Dr Lambert Orisakwe, Barr. Steve Nwoke, Hon. Chisom Ojukwu, Hon. Kenneth Ukah, Hon. Johnbosco Mkpadaobi, High Chief Chinedu Orisakwe, Chief Cyriacus Dike, Mr. Okechukwu Chukwu, Chief Chinedu Iwuagwu, Mr. Ikenna Arichie, Mr. Chinedu Onunwa, Mr. Charles Agara, Engr. Emma Iwuchukwu, Lolo Florence Eziama, Mr. Ndubuisi Emmanuel Ibezim, Hon. Kingsley Mbagwu(DG, Better Life Foundation), Comrade Charles Chukwu, the entire ward executives of the 11 wards, the APC LGA executives led by Hon. Lilian Obi, among others.
Speaking during the event, Sir Martin Ejiogu informed that Hon. Modestus Osakwe and his supporters had worked for the APC and Governor Uzodinma’s reelection in the last governorship election, adding that his grand reception into the APC family was merely to formalize his party membership.
Sir Ejiogu urged Hon. Osakwe to now do those things in Isu APC that he used to do in PDP, saying that they were all in the same boat with Governor Uzodinma as captain.
Welcoming Hon. Osakwe into the Isu APC family, former Commissioner for Agriculture and now Commissioner designate, Chief Cosmas Maduba described Osakwe as a vote gatherer, big fish and great leader with large following.
Maduba expressed his joy at witnessing the event which he observed would lead to a stronger APC family in Isu LGA as they all would now be moving towards the same direction.
The member representing Nwangele state constituency and Deputy Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. AmaraChyna Iwuanyanwu who led other state legislators to the event noted that the event properly marked the collapse of Isu LGA into APC.
The Deputy Speaker said that he had been hearing of Hon. Osakwe’s popularity which would now be an asset to the APC in Isu LGA and the state in general.
Earlier in welcoming Hon. Modestus Osakwe into the APC family, the LGA Chairman, Hon. Lilian Obi described their party as peaceful and friendly. She described herself as a major beneficiary of Osakwe’s defection as her party would now be winning subsequent elections without much stress.
Responding to his grand reception into the APC family, Hon. Modestus Osakwe thanked everyone who made out time to witness the occasion. He said that he was humbled by the fact that though he was in the opposition party, the governor nominated him as Commissioner, saying that it was the first time in the state an opposition politician would be nominated as Commissioner. Osakwe maintained that the task ahead of him now was to contribute towards the strengthening of the APC at all levels and called upon all to support the state governor realize the objectives of the 3R policy thrust of his administration.
