By Kelechi Ugo.
Members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD South East and South South geopolitical zones have unanimously adopted Dr. Stanley Nwachukwu as the consensus candidate for National President of the association in their forthcoming election.
This was resolved during a special meeting held at Felina Hotels, Umuahia,Abia State on Tuesday 11th October,2022.
Some of the stakeholders of the association present at the meeting were Comrade Wisdom Kanu Okechukwu who doubles as the Abia State Chairman and South East Zonal Coordinator of JONAPWD, Comrade Ernest Igbuzor who also doubles as the Delta State Chairman and South South Zonal Coordinator of the union, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke(Anambra Chairman),
MBA Onyebuchi(Enugu Chairman),Chieme Odumegwu Franklin(Ebonyi State Chairman),Barr. Okey Kanu(former SSA to Abia Government on Special Citizens),Hon. Clinton Chinonyerem Amaechi(Imo State),Comrade Udensi Ekene(Imo State) among others.
Speaking, the South East Zonal Coordinator of JONAPWD, Comrade Wisdom Kanu Okechukwu disclosed that the two geopolitical zones which were parts of the old Eastern Region have come together to form a formidable political bloc that would guarantee Dr. Nwachukwu’s victory in their national election coming up on 26th November, 2022.
Comrade Wisdom described Dr. Nwachukwu as the only man who has the capacity to win the national president of JONAPWD within southern Nigeria recalling how Nwachukwu won their previous presidential election in 2014 before it was manipulated by desperate politicians. He expressed their readiness to work together with their South West sister to achieve victory.
“It is our turn to produce the next national president of JONAPWD. And Dr. Nwachukwu has gained supports of northerners. We are still urging the northerners not to disappoint us so as to create a room for equity, justice and fairness in JONAPWD.
So, we are throwing our weights to support our own brother”,he stated.
His counterpart from South South, Comrade Ernest Igbuzor stated that his zone has no option than to form an alliance with S/East to install the national president in their forthcoming election describing Dr. Nwachukwu as the only candidate who is eminently qualified for the job.
Comrade Igbuzor noted that from all indications, Nwachukwu is everly prepared for the election as well as having good packages for the persons living with disabilities across the country if elected.
While,Anambra and Enugu States Chairmen of JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke and Mba Onyebuchi commended Dr. Nwachukwu for his doggedness in fighting a just cause for the disabled community stating that he is embedded with experiences that would put a stop to the challenges of the association if elected president.
However,Dr. Stanley Nwachukwu disclosed that he had earlier consulted the critical stakeholders of the association from northern part of the country who agreed to support his presidential ambition having ensured that there is peace in the association by withdrawing an impending case of their victory in 2018 from court.
Dr. Nwachukwu,an Imo-born business mogul unveiled his manifesto containing his action plans on how to re-write the wrongs in the association.
According to his manifesto,”data base of JONAPWD members shall be undertaken for job opportunities and skill acquisition Programmes. Strengthening relationship between states and national JONAPWD, paradigm shift, funding of the association, gender harmonization, housing and sport activities for persons with disabilities”.
It would be recalled that Dr. Nwachukwu’s ambition has gotten Governor Hope Uzodimma’s nod.
Meanwhile, after the meeting,it was also resolved as follows;
That JONAPWD members shall unite forces to ensure that Disability Bill is passed into law in every state of the Federation.
That Persons with disabilities shall continue to work towards achieving a common goal.
That unity and regular meeting of South East and South South of JONAPWD shall be sustained hence WhatsApp platform should be created for effective communication.
That JONAPWD shall be inclusively involved in the circular politics of Nigeria.
