By Nduka Val
A notable security expert from Umuguma community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, mr. Ogbonna Anthony Ashaba, has authoritatively assured the people of Imo state of his readiness to occupy the governorship seat already designed for him in 2027, advising people not doubt how it will happen.
Ogbonna made this known to some journalists last weekend at Umuguma, while interacting with them on the annual celebration of a new yam festival held by chief Nnaomadiebube Paschal Ezikeojiaku.
Ogbonna said: " I must be the governor of Imo State in 2027, whether they like it or not, power is not given, rather you you take it".
Expressing further, mr. Ogbonna stated that though he had not officially declared his ambition, it would definitely come to last.
When he was asked if he was not considering the strong political competition associated with Imo politics, he asserted that he was not seeing any amount of competition from any Imo politician that could stop him from actualizing his governorship aspiration in 2027.
He posited that he has taken care of a good number of people with his wealth as an individual without any political office, wondering why he could not do better with such a position as a governor.
He added that his massive contribution to human development over the years should always serve as a plus to his expected support by Imo people, maintaining that those who might have benefitted from his benevolence would be the ones to speak on his behalf at the appropriate time for election campaign. He said: " I have been doing things for people that I cannot testify about as a person, but should be left for people to say by themselves, one does not praise himself, but people will do it".
Stretching further, mr. Ogbonna unfolded that his name, 'Shaba' is always surrounded by miracles and wonders which will usually pave way for his desired successes, including the actualization of his 2027 governorship dream.
He maintained that no amount of political intrigues exhibited by state politicians in the state would be an obstacle to the realization of his designed governorship ambition, stressing that the likes of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Ifeanyichukwu Ararume and Senator Sam Daddy Anyanwu could not in anyway be a force against his ambition in 2027.
He re-echoed that all of them had in one way or the other been tried and little or no change was seen to have been brought for the people by them, ascertaining that he was the chosen one from Owerri Zone extraction to serve the state.
Continuing, Ogbonna said: " I will match them money for money, power for power, dollar for dollar and pounds for pounds'.
Asked if the state government has responded to his earlier request of bringing him into the security management of the state, the Umuguma born security tactician stated that nothing has happened in that regard since then, adding that the state government allegedly has been playing politics with the existing state insecurity. He said: " the government does not want insecurity to end, if they want insecurity to end, it will end".
He used the established interaction to appeal to the state government to remember the people of Umuguma in her road construction programme by tackling their dilapidated roads, stressing that the importance of those roads cannot be overemphasized.
He averred that Umuguma community has sacrificed a lot of her lands to the state government for her developmental drive and asked same government to reciprocate by tarring their roads.
He advised government to stop playing politics with everything, adding that his coming into power will end such actions.
Ogbonna used same interaction to commend Chief Paschal Ezikeojiaku (Ogbuonyeisiogu) for celebrating this year's Iriji festival in grand style, which attracted great people from various walks of life, describing him as a good friend whom he would always associate with. He applauded people for attending in their great number, asking God to continue to protect them and the celebrant.
