By Joe Kalu
Aspirant to the Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency, Chief Celia Otubu has warned against imposition of candidate by any political god-father. Addressing Journalists Monday shortly after the submission of her Interest and Nomination Forms to re-contest the 2019 House of Representative seat for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Chief Barr. Celia Chisa Otubu alleged that KELGA Chairman, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, has not only publicly endorsed and campaigned for the candidacy of the former occupant of the seat, Barr. Boniface S. Emerengwa, but has gone ahead to blackmail, and intimidate the electorate to vote for his preferred candidate.
According to her, “I hesitated picking the forms as I did not want a repeat of what happened to me in the 2015 general elections. But when the coast was eventually cleared for a level playing field for the primaries, I went and purchased the forms, getting ready for the contest only for Mr. Nwanosike to stab me at the back, despite assurance of his support for my candidacy”.
Barr. Otubu said she was taken aback when the alleged treachery was followed with threat to her life by the Kelga chairman should she decided to go against laid down agreement of the party for a preferred candidate, hence the alarm.
Otubu, however, used the opportunity to urge Governor Wike to intervene in the matter in the interest of the party, her constituency and Rivers State.
According to her, “I am not asking to be given a special favour or concension but to allow us go to the field for a direct primary election because I am confident my people will vote for me due to my capabilities and antecedents”, she stated.
The aspirant then used the chance to openly challenge Mr. Emerengwa alongside any other aspirants who have declared their interest to run for the position for a live debates to defend their record in public office as well as their manifestoes in the presence of the party delegates and grassroot supporters.
Barr. Otubu equally used the opportunity to reel out her three point action plan if given the mandate to include the establishment of constituency offices plus staff; monthly surgeries plus quarterly town hall meetings for consultations as well as a corresponding constituency projects plus legislative action.
“Constituency offices will be established at Ikwerre and Emohua which is absent now. I will also establish a technical college for skill acquisition training for youths, including graduates as well as judicious utilization of constituency projects fund for what they are meant for as one who is passionate about helping the less privileged in the society”, she stated.
“I will not be transformed into a mini deity of sorts either but will be accessible at all times by my people. I also will raise issues that affect my people and pursue it to its logical conclusion” Otubu assured.
The Federal House of Reps aspirant also used the chance to inaugurate her Media Team, comprising career Journalists and Social Media Practitioners to strengthen her campaign.
In her remarks, the Celia Otubu Campaign Organization (COCO) Manager, made it clear that the group will continue to mobilize support for their principal and insisted on the right thing to be done.
