Bende constituency: Foremost philanthropist, Sunday Onyemachi Mecnix speaks on purported interest to contest Abia assembly election in 2027

By Chijindu Emeruwa

A foremost philanthropist and the President of Olejuru Charity Foundation, Ambassador Ogbu Sunday Onyemachi Mecnix, has clarified that he has not decided to contest national or state Assembly seat election in 2027.

The clarification becomes on the heels of the widespread speculations on his purported intention to vie for bende north constituency seat in Abia state House of Assembly in next year general elections on the platform of the African Democratic Congress(ADC).

Recall that Amb Ogbu Sunday Onyemachi Mecnix hosted a cross-section of indigenes of Bende north state constituency which cut across different party affiliations at his country home during the yuletides.

The indigenes from ugwueke/ezeukwu community in Bende local government area of Abia state led by Comrade Igwe Ogba Eze, called on the foremost philanthropist appealed to the foremost philanthropist to join 2027 Abia state House of Assembly race for Bende north constituency seat.

Speaking during an interview with journalists on Wednesday, Amb Ogbu Sunday Onyemachi Mecnix maintained that he has not heeded on the clarion call by kinsmen to contest the state house of Assembly, hinting that he would disclose his intention on conclusion of consultations with family and critical stakeholders in bende north state constituency.

The recipient of Nelson Mandela Leadership Award of Excellence and Integrity explained that he is concerned about the welfare of the people of the constituency, community development, and the larger Abia state.

“To set the record straight, my kinsmen from ugwueke/ ezeukwu ward visited me during the new year eve and exchanged pleasantries. The visit provided another ample opportunity for us to proffer more ideas concerning the development of our local communities and welfare of our people.

“And this is not our first meeting. It’s an annual parley between me and my kins brothers and sisters to chart wayforward in advancing socio-economic and infrastructural development in our bende communities and also contributing to the effort of the present democratic leadership in Abia state.

“During the parley, my kinsmen from ugwueke/ezeukwu community unexpectedly pleaded that I should contest Abia house of assembly election in 2027 to represent bende north constituency at the state legislative chamber. And i stated in unequivocal terms that I would consult family and major stakeholders concerning their call on me to seek for elective seat.

“At no time I declare my interest or made my decision known to seek Bende north constituency or Bende federal constituency seat in next year national or state assemblies election. At this moment, i am only concerned on my community development, my people’s welfares, and visible economic and infrastructural transformation happening in Abia as a whole.

“I am not a member of any political party. I have not taken any stand on my kinsmen’ demand to speak for them on the floor of the hallowed legislative house. Any decision I will arrive at will be communicated to Bende people through appropriate channel. The insinuations in many quarters that I had made up my mind to vie the elective position is a lie from the pit of hell, and was orchestrated by rumours mongers junketing on the corridors of power,”He posited.

On the current state of affairs in Abia, Amb Ogbu Sunday Onyemachi Mecnix lauded the transformative leadership of Governor Alex Otti in the state.

He posited that Governor Otti has redefined governance in Abia state as his administration has engendered critical socio-economic and infrastructural development in every parts of the state.

Amb Ogbu Sunday Onyemachi Mecnix who regretted the alleged inability of successive past governments in Abia state to demonstrate capacity and political will to tackle infrastructural decadence, economic hardship, insecurity and other teething challenges that ravaged the state in past 25 years, said the current administration has restored Abia on the path of economic prosperity through its several implementation of development-oriented policies since inauguration.

He therefore called on the good people of Abia state to remain steadfast in their maximum supports to the current government as it continues to make positive effort in restoring God’s Own State on the path of economic prosperity.