A Call to Service – Text of an Address by Chief Hon. (Barr.) Cyriacus Sunday Umeha – Member-Elect Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, Enugu State.
My good people of Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency; on Wednesday 8th March 2023, I officially received the Certificate of Return as Member-Elect to represent our Constituency in what would be the 10th National Assembly.
It was the culmination of the popular mandate you bestowed on me, on the 25th of February 2023 when you trooped out en masse to vote for me, and our great party; and in the process demonstrated your belief in our Legislative Agenda which is rooted in the development of the socio-economic welfare of our people as also encapsulated in the Labour Party's governance philosophy.
With the reception of the Certificate of Return, I can say that this journey has indeed begun in earnest.
May I therefore take this opportunity to thank each and every one of those that supported me; voted for me, and all those who took our message of restoration to the nooks and crannies of our Constituency which I was unable to visit during the campaigns. I must also acknowledge all those who voted our opponents; for presenting themselves to partake in the democratic process. As is custom with the ideal of democracy, the freedom of choice must always be respected and protected, as this is what makes us an egalitarian society.
However, irrespective of the voting patterns, my commitment to you is that I will deliver my mandate to all and sundry in the acknowledgement that irrespective of our political biases, we are all united in the quest for good governance in general, and a better Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.
Looking back on the circumstances of this victory, I have no doubt that it is the Will of God in motion.
When our resolve to serve our Constituency was scuttled by the PDP through their typical prebendalism, no one could have foreseen the enormous opportunity which the Labour Party could afford in the restoration of hope and total recalibration of our national politics. The rest today is history.
I must however not fail to assure you that I will never forget the divine circumstances that brought us here: hence I will be your servant-leader and together we shall embark on a journey to re-write the fortunes of our people through a people-oriented parliamentarism.
Public office is a sacred trust which must not be taken for granted. It affords its occupant a rare privilege which must be adequately utilized in justification of the public trust. When I took the decision to represent our people at the National Assembly, it was from this philosophical standpoint that I derived the conviction; it is also in this light that I see the enormous responsibility and weight of expectation which now sits on my shoulders given the popular reception of our Legislative Agenda and Manifesto.
May I further reiterate my total commitment to our Reform Agenda which is rooted in the social safety and security of our people. We shall hit the ground running from day-1, and together we shall breast the tape.
However, achieving our broader mandate of improving the overall socio-economic condition of Enugu State, requires the mainstreaming of power and leadership along the Mama-Papa-Pikin philosophy of the Labour Party. I am of the firm view that it is when we elect a governor from the Labour Party fold, that we can fully say that we have liberated ourselves from the stranglehold of the PDP which had held us back in the last 23 years.
Surely, there comes a time in the life of a people, when they must make a decision which holds vistas for their liberation and safeguarding of their future. I believe that I speak for all us when I say that we are indeed living in such a time. God forbid that we should fail to seize the moment.
It is in this regard that I must remind all our supporters that the battle is far from over.
Come 18th March,2023 therefore, we must also go out in our numbers to vote #ELLU- P across our respective State Houses of Assembly seats and of course, the Governorship position. For the avoidance of doubt; Hon. Barr. Chijioke Edeoga (Okaome) our Governorship Candidate best represents the future that Ndi Enugu must key into and can be assured of.
He is the very turning point from whence Ndi Enugu will begin to chart a new future. God forbid that we should remain in Egypt under the leadership of those who put us last, and put themselves and their cronies in front. In order to achieve this however, we must come out in our numbers to vote and ensure that our votes are duly counted, collated and transmitted to the IReV Portal in line with the dictates of the Electoral Act. It is a price we must pay today, in order to secure our future.
Having said that, permit me to acknowledge once again my gratitude for this popular mandate that has been given to us. And I look forward to its transformative potentials in the welfare of our people and Constituency at large.
I must however not fail to use this opportunity to appreciate my brothers from other political parties who went into the race with me. Indeed, we can say that we had a good race. Whilst we were divided in our respective approaches to serving our people, there was no question that we were united by a common cause: a better Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.
I wish to particularly single out for mention my senior Brother, leader and big boss – Dr. F.S.A Uzor. It was indeed the honour and privilege of my life to have stood on the ballot with such a political colossus and I look forward to drawing inspiration from his wealth of experience and knowledge in the execution of this mandate.
My special gratitude also goes to my leader - Chief Wilfred Okeke the APGA House of Representative candidate for Ezeagu/Udi in the just concluded election and to my brother Ugwu Ben-Kingsley Emeka of NRM, for their prompt congratulations and hands of solidarity. Their sportsmanship is equal to nothing. I remain eternally grateful.
Let me end by appealing to my senior brothers - Dr. F.S.A Uzor and Hon. Ekene Nwankwo who I understand are planning to go to the Tribunal to challenge this collective mandate of our People. Whilst I acknowledge their respective rights under our Constitution to approach the judiciary to present any claim they might have; I also know that discretion is the better part of valor. This is not the time to be embroiled in needless battle and/or dissipate the collective wealth of our people in fruitless litigations that only end up dividing our communities and stoking seeds of discord amongst brothers.
If they however remain guided by their resolve, let me quickly state that we shall meet them in Court at the appointed time, to defend this solemn mandate.
Umunnem Ndi Ezeagu n’ Udi; you have spoken, I have heard the call and I am here to serve.
May God bless us all.
Chief Hon. (Barr.) Sunday Cyriacus Umeha
Member-Elect
House of Representatives,
Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Enugu State.
12th March, 2023.
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