I am the “Alternative voice” in Rivers State – Uchendu

The Senator-elect representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Chief Andrew Igbonule Uchendu, OON, has said that he is the alternative voice that will bring about reconciliation, peace and development in Rivers State.

At a Suya Night hosted in his honour by the Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, INCRA, on the 27th of August 2017, Chief Uchendu assured Rivers youths of his unshakeable commitment to their progress.

In his remarks, Chief Uchendu expressed deep gratitude to God Almighty for granting him victory at the Appeal Court and also thanked the leadership and members of INCRA for finding him worthy of celebration.

“First, I thank God for granting us victory at the Court of Appeal. We give him all the glory. Our victory at the Appellate Court, was not by power, neither was it by might.

Chief Uchendu declared that he has dedicated the remaining part of his political career to the emancipation of the downtrodden in Rivers State.

The Senator-elect insists that the present level of unemployment and educational backwardness in the State must be reversed, as soon as practicably possible.

In his words, “I am now the ‘alternative voice’ in Rivers State. I shall be a voice for the voiceless, a defender of the defenceless, and an arm for the armless.

“At a time when nobody is talking; the clergy have left moral teachings in pursuit of material possessions, traditional institutions have gone moribund, and politicians have gone haywire in their quest for power through inordinate politicking, violence, and malicious vituperations; I shall serve as a voice of reason.

“I have decided to see, say and exhibit only the truth at all times. I apologise in advance to anyone who might be hurt by the truth which I will and must say. At my age, there is nothing else that I owe your generation except the unstained truth.

“Like I have severally said, this is not the State that I grew up to see; this is not the same State that made me a Managing Director at the age of ‘thirty two’, with all the attendant privileges thereof (chauffeur-driven car, posh residence, good pay, et al).

“Today, how many Rivers youths are well equipped, both mentally and emotionally, to attain such lofty heights?”, Chief Uchendu queried.

Drawing inspiration from the Bible, in the Book of Joel 2:25, Chief Uchendu declared that God will use him to restore to Rivers youths, the years which locusts, cankerworms, caterpillers, and palmerworms have eaten.

Chief Uchendu later thanked INCRA for making out time and using scarce resources to celebrate him. He stated that INCRA was the first body to come up with this type of beautiful event after the Appeal Court affirmed his victory at the Tribunal.

He said: “I am very grateful for this warm reception in my honour; I want to place it on record that this is the first group that is hosting a party in my honour after the judgement of the Appeal Court. I hereby promise to work with INCRA for reconciliation, peace and development in Rivers State”, Chief Uchendu stated”.

Speaking on behalf of INCRA, a top member of the group, Chief Chima Nnokam said, “INCRA decided to celebrate Chief Uchendu’s victory at the Court of Appeal because it is indeed a victory for our grand patron – Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in particular, and Rivers people in general.

“We believe that Chief Uchendu will adequately represent not only the people of Rivers East Senatorial District at the Red Chambers, but also the entire population of Rivers State.

“Armed with years of versatile experience in both the technocratic and political sphere, we have no iota of doubt in our mind, that the erudite and intelligent Senator-elect, will bring home the bacon, and dividends of democracy will flow ceaselessly.

“As a formidable media group in Rivers State, and Nigeria at large, INCRA will lend Chief Andrew Uchendu, all the necessary support that we can offer, in order to achieve progress in the State and Country. We are ready to work; send us and we shall delIver”, Chief Nnokam stated.