APPRECIATION AND THANK YOU MESSAGE BY REP. O. K. CHINDA

My good people of Obio/Akpor,

I bring you warm greetings and profound expression of my love and appreciation to you all.

Recall that I ran the re-run National Assembly elections held on 19th March, 2016 and the result as declared by INEC afforded me the opportunity to return once again as the Honourable Member to represent Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

Your support and show of trust, confidence and goodwill prior to and at the election proper in ensuring that I emerged victorious again at the said polls was immense and very invaluable and I remain always honoured and grateful to God, and to all of you.

As you may also be aware, after the said re-run elections, my brother and friend, Chief Anthony Chinedu Okocha (KSC) who contested on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) again filed a petition at the Elections Petition Tribunal. The three (3) Man Tribunal after listening to preliminary objection(s) and arguments by my legal team, in a well-considered unanimous ruling delivered by the Hon. Justice Yusuf Mohammed, dismissed the said petition on Friday, 15th July, 2016.

While the euphoria of that victory was yet to (even) begin, Chief Anthony Okocha in the exercise of his constitutional right again appealed to the Court of Appeal (sitting at Abuja) against the Tribunal’s decision. To the glory of God, the Court of Appeal on Saturday 10th September, 2016, affirmed the decision of the Tribunal and entered judgement in OUR favour; and thereby put an end to a tortuous, expensive but unnecessary legal battle that begun in April, 2015 (a year and half). My sincere thanks and warmest appreciation goes first, to God Almighty and then to the good people of Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency (indigenes and indigenes-without-boarders alike), for this victory. I am greatly humbled by your encouragement, solidarity, brotherhood and massive support demonstrated before, during and after the March 19, 2016 re-run polls. I am not ungrateful to you for your commitment, selflessness, perseverance and prayers while the legal ‘battle’ lasted.

To my brother, Chief Anthony Okocha, who exercised his legal rights as far as allowed by the laws of Nigeria, again, I commend your doggedness in making the contest very competitive and colourful, though avoidably expensive and wasteful. Whilst I admire your fighting spirit, I wish to state for the umpteenth time that the court cases were clearly very serious distractions to us, particularly, at this austere time of economic recession, and when other Federal Constituencies were enjoying the dividends of democracy.

Furthermore, I hereby again, very sincerely extend my warm hands of fellowship to you (and indeed all your supporters) and pray that we collectively move our people forward. I look forward to your advice, criticisms and positive contributions geared towards promoting the development and well-being of our dear Obio/Akpor people and Rivers State in general.

To the good people of Obio/Akpor Federal constituency, I re-assure  you  of  my  electioneering  campaign promises and commitment as encapsulated in my ‘Social Contract’  with  you: they are sacrosanct. I  promise  to  work  for  the promotion  of  democracy  in  Nigeria  as  well  as  for  the overall  good of  our  people,  Rivers State and society  at large.
May I also add that the victory having been achieved, much work lies ahead. So, “Let’s keep working”. I urge you all to  continue  to  join  hands  with  me  and  the Peoples’  Democratic  Party  (PDP) in Rivers State, led by His Excellency, Chief (Barr.) E. N. Wike (CON) to  ensure  our  overall success in the task and vision of building a “NEW” Rivers State.

Because ‘I won, you also won’. Whilst I strive to make you all enjoy the fruit of your hard work and this victory, I promise an effective, all inclusive and people oriented representation. Whilst the litigation was on, we nonetheless continued to drive the following amongst others:
Payment of scholarship scheme for One Hundred and Sixty Eight (168) Students across the Constituency;
2. Adult education scheme with centres at Elelenwo, Okporo and Ozuoba;
4.Commencement of skills training in commercial chalk manufacturing and snail farming;
5.Continuation of construction of Model Primary School in  Rumuokwurusi;
6.Procurement of employment opportunities in Federal Civil Service, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy; Nigerian Police; National Population Commission; Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Galaxy Backbone; NAFDAC; Federal Judicial Service Commission and the  private sector, amongst several other places.

7. Maintenance of the Obio/Akpor Embassy House at 60 Pomona Street, Suncity Estate, Abuja;
8.Maintenance of Federal Constituency office at N0. 9 Ebara Road, off Ikwerre Road, Obio/Akpor, Rivers State;
9.Revolving loan scheme for petty traders;

Several Motions, Bills and petitions were sponsored and presented within the period.

With the litigation out of the way, we shall double our efforts to make you feel the impact of the seat of your Member of House of Representatives. We shall continue to serve you with the fear of God and love for mankind. Once more, thank you for your massive support and solidarity and God bless you all.

Long live Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency;
Long live Rivers State of Nigeria;
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

REP. O.K. CHINDA.