Eye Witness correspondent
It was an awesome moment at Isiaka, the LGA Headquarters of Ivo, on March 29, 2024, when Comr. Orji Joseph, popularly known as Big Joe, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) candidate for the Ivo Constituency for the Ebonyi State House of Assembly (EBHA) 2023, a native of Obulor Amaeke Ishiagu, Ivo LGA, Ebonyi State, led over 1000 followers under the umbrella or platform of the OHANIVO GRASSROOTS MANDATE (OGM) to defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC) family.
In his speech, Comr. Orji Joseph (Big Joe) expressed his gratitude to God and applauded the unprecedented good governance of the state government led by his Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. Big Joe further pointed out that the quality leadership of the APC State Chairman, Chief Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, is second to none, as his free mind speaks volumes towards party growth.
He also thanked all the state party working committees present at the event. The APC Ivo LGA Chairman, Hon. Pastor Israel Remedy, and APC Chairman Ngwogwo Ward Hon. Chukwu Silas were also present, as were many dignitaries and well-to-do sons and daughters of Ivo, past Chairman Ivo LGA Hon. Joe Star, and others.
Comr. Orji Joseph (Big Joe) expressed his gratitude to the Ivo LGA Chairman, Chief Hon. Ajah Emmanuel (Confirm), for his inclusiveness in leadership disposition. He saluted all APC families in Ivo LGA and pledged to support the party to attain more heights in Ivo, Ebonyi State, and the Federation at large.
Comr. Orji Joseph (Big Joe), the Chairman of OHANIVO GRASSROOTS MANDATE (OGM), who represented the Principal of OGM, High Chief Chika Emmanuel Ngwa, convened the good will messages of his boss, High Chief Chika Emmanuel Ngwa, to the APC family both at the local and state level. He told the APC family that High Chief Ngwa is ready to use what he has to lift the APC faithful to an enviable height, just as he did to Labour Party members in Ivo during the 2023 general election. High Chief Ngwa was quoted to have said that their core aim is to maintain good and cordial relationships amongst the GRASSROOTS and empower them where appropriate, according to Comr. Orji Joseph (Big Joe), the Chairman OGM, at a live interview with our correspondence.
In reaction, Chief Hon. Okoro Emegha, the APC State Chairman, maintained that High Chief Chika Emmanuel Ngwa is a rare gift to ndi Ivo and wholeheartedly welcomed him into the APC family. In his speech, he thanks God for giving us High Chief Ngwa and has no doubt that he will do well as an APC stakeholder in Ivo and the state.
The event also witnessed so many dignitaries from other parties, including PDP Hon. Makwa Livinus (Mark & Mark), former House of Representative member OHANIVO, Mazi Hon. Bar. Dr. Oliver OSI, former House Member Ivo House of Assembly, Hon. Ukanwa Ajali (Stone), former candidate House of Assembly Ivo constituency, and other PDP faithful in Ivo LGA.
On the other side were Hon. Prince Ajah Nwabueze Igwa, the former deputy gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, and others.
All the defectors were properly welcomed into the APC family in Ivo LGA.