Enugu LG Poll: You must be connected to the people Rep. Martins Oke charges New Council Boss, Nwobodo, others

Enugu LG Poll: You must be connected to the people Rep. Martins Oke charges New Council Boss, Nwobodo, others

The member representing Igbo/Etiti Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Hon. Dr. Martins Oke
says the local government system cannot work successfully in Nigeria if there is no existing close relationship between the Chairmen and the people.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the just concluded local government election in the state, at his Igbo/Etiti country home, the Lawmaker, charged the newly elected Chairman of Igbo/Etiti local government Area of Enugu State, Hon. Ikenna Anthony Nwobodo and his counterparts to, against all odds, maintain a cordial relationship with his people at all times.

The Deputy Chairman Committee on Health Institution, who emphasised the indispensability of a strong bond with the led, in the Council, enjoined Nwobodo and other newly elected chairman to work assiduously towards delivering dividends of democracy to the people, as he harped the need for an impactful Local Government system to work across the nation.

Speaking expressly, he said:
“We want the Local Government system to work in Nigeria and for it to work, you have to be close to the people. If you are close to the people in the Local Government, they’ll come close to you even before you start providing infrastructure that will show dividends of democracy to the local government.

Former General Manager of Tourism Board, Enugu state, described an existing connection between the Council boss and the people, as an all important factor that would in no doubts, facilitate the growth and development of the area.

He warned Nwobodo against any attitude, whatsoever that could be capable of driving away the people from him, as such, he maintained would cripple his activities thus rendering same ineffective.

Hear him: “Your personal touch, your relationship with the people matters more than scaring them away. So, I’ve given him my own private advice, I’ve talked to people and to him also during rallies and I pray that he will imbibe this and work on the advice given to him by stakeholders of the party within the state and other people who have been elected.

He further enjoined the new Council boss to endeavour to run an all inclusive Government, noting that, “because once you are elected, you are no longer just a representative of the PDP, you become the leader of the people both APC and PDP”.

He described Nwobodo as ‘a round peg in a round hole’, recounting that he has served as a Transition Chairman for some couple of months, hence has acquainted himself with the politics of the area.

“The incoming Chairman is a very young man and his Deputy is from this town which is one of the biggest towns in Enugu state and my ward is the biggest ward in Enugu North Central. The young man who is coming in as Chairman has served as an acting Chairman for three months and knows this local government very well. So, he has a pedigree and a pedigree of service.”

Asked about his confidence in the electoral body, the former member of Federal Character Commission, in the state expressed downright confidence in the envisaged transformation of the electoral system as could be instigated by the electoral Bill which PMB eventually signed.

Responding, he said: “Well, this one is State INEC and we have absolute confidence in the body. The chairman of the State electoral body is a man of impeccable qualities and in the same vein, we have a lot of respect for the parent body, INEC and we pray that at the end of this election, he’ll sign the Electoral Bill. If he signs the electorates bill, that forms the bedrock of whatever we are going to do.”

Meanwhile, famousreporters.com gathered that Rep. Martins, aka. Mr. Empowerment, has overtime impacted immensely on the people with focus on youths, through his mouthwatering Empowerment programmes over the years.

Recounting on his effective representation of his Constituents at the Green Chambers, he said: “I have served my people dutifully and have empowered so many youths in his Constituency”, he added, as he
further prayed for the grace to do more for his people.
Adding, he said: “Because I am connected to them; this is my place. My gate was open when you came. So, if I was afraid of anything, it wouldn’t be like that and that will write a lot of stories about the person you are with.

In his views, Hon . Dr. Ben Ugwuoke Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, commended the electorates for ensuring a peaceful conduct of the exercise, as he expressed optimism in the undeniable victory of his party at various polling units.

Also, Hon . Chinedu Cyril Oru, aka. Radical for Jesus of Igboeze North, who also envisaged the victory of the party at various polling units, explained that the election in his local government was peaceful, while commending the Security operatives for ensuring tranquility in the atmosphere.