2023: Minister of Budget drums support for APC Reps candidate Sam Ekweme

By Agency Reporter

Mr Clement Agba the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning has drumed support for Chief Samuel Ekwueme, the House of Representatives Candidate of All Progressive Party (APC) for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

Agba said this in Nsukka during the flag-off of Ekwueme's campaign at Ogbede  Igbo-Etiti council headquarters.

The minister said  his support  for Ekweme was because of many projects  he executed in the past  for  the constituency as an individual without an elective position.

"I have know Ekweme for many years, he is my good friend, we were working together in Chevron before I was appointed a minister.

"Because I know, he is good and intelligent, I told him to resign so that he will assist me in the ministry of Budget and National Planning.

"I am overwhelmed by the huge crowd here today to  support Ekwueme House of Representatives ambition in 2023 general elections,"he said.

He noted that, the crowd was a  confirmation that people of his constituency appreciated his contributions to the development of the area even as an individual.

"If Ekwueme can single-handedly attract the 11.5KM Aku-Lejja-Nsukka asphalt road from Federal Government built solar powered boreholes, solar street lights among others.

" You can imagine what he will do if elected in 2023 to represent the constituency

"Federal Government  will ensure free and free elections in 2023 so that good people like Ekweme will emerge victorious and do more for their people," he said.

The minister decried the deplorable state of roads and basic amenities in the constituency and Enugu state, attributing them to poor governance and representation.

"I  enjoined the people to stick their support to Ekwueme and other APC candidates since their support for People Democratic Party (PDP) in the past 23 years in the state had not benefited the constituency.

"To change  the narrative vote Ekwueme and APC candidates so that you will have better urban and rural roads network, basic amenities empowerments as well as effect and quality representation," he said.

Speaking, Ekwueme said one of the reasons he decided to contest was because his survey shown that 95 per cent of constituents were tired of PDP's poor representation in the past 23 years.

He alleged that majority of the communities have no access roads, potable water and basic infrastructures over the period.

"Majority  of the people in the constituency told me that they are tired of the ruling party in the state as well as their representative in the past  as the constituency has been neglected in terms of development" he said.

Ekwueme said his massive support might not be unconnected with the access roads, solar powered boreholes, street light ,empowerment, scholarship among others he provided to the people even as an individual.

"My people are happy with me because of what I have done to them and they have expressed their readiness to vote for me during the general election.

"The huge crowd here today is eloquent testimony of their support for me because they believe that if I can do what I have done as an individual, that they have no doubt I am going to do more if elected" he said.

Ekwueme expressed appreciation to party faithful and supporters who came from far and near to witness the flag-off  and assured that if elected  he will  do more to justify the confidence people have on him.

"I express my gratitude to all who in spite their tight schedules  find time to witness my campaign flag-off, especially the minister who came all the way from Abuja," he said.

Also speaking, Ambassador Ejike Eze, Candidate of APC in Enugu North Senatorial District described Ekwueme as one who had done much to his people even without holding  any elective position.

Ekweme  is not only a good asset to the constituency but to Enugu State and entire country.

"I have know no doubt that Ekwueme and all APC candidates will  emerge victorious in 2023 general election," he said.

Eze commended Agba for coming all the way from Abuja to give Ekwueme his friend a solidarity, adding that the gesture had shown that Ekwueme is accepted everywhere in the country.

In their separate remarks, the APC Chairman of Igbo-Etiti LG Mr. Chibuike Onoduagu and his Uzo-Uwani LG counterpart Chief Christopher Ajodu said that their local governments have benefited much from Ekwueme.

They said  that, 2023 general elections was the right time  for their people to pay Ekweme back, by voting  him to victory.