- Enugu state govt slates October 5, 2024 as council elections in the state
- Opposition parties gear up for the polls, educate electorates on the need to vote them in
- Labour party candidate, Barr. Titus Onuora Odo says his party has political muscles to sweep all the LGs in the elections
For Barrister Titus Onuora Odo, the Labour Party candidate for the October 5, 2024 council elections in Enugu state, all is now set for his takeover of mantle of leadership in the council area.
In this exclusive
interview with our reporter, Barr. Odo who is the Party’s Publicity Secretary in the state gave reasons Labour Party should take over the reign of leadership in the state.
Excerpts
Briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Barr Titus Onuora Odo. By sheer stroke of providence, I’m the Candidate of Labour Party for the forthcoming Council Elections in Igbo-Eze North local government area and the State Publicity Secretary of our great party. I’m a dedicated community leader and a youth empowerment Advocate. I’m excited to run for Local Government Chairmanship elections under the platform of Labour Party because I have the inner conviction that I have what it takes to move our local government forward.
What gave you the courage to contest against the ruling PDP candidate in the forthcoming LG election?
My courage to contest comes from the desire to bring positive change and effective governance to our local government. I have the passion to lead my people with utmost dedication and irrevocable commitments. I have the experience, the exposure, the qualifications and the integrity required for the job. That’s why I am applying for the job.
What political experience do you have to pilot the affairs of LG as the chairman, if elected?
Although I don’t have direct experience as a LG chairman, I’ve served in various leadership positions within my community and have a deep understanding of governance. I have also consulted with experienced political leaders and have thoroughly conducted a deep research on how best to govern my people. I am prepared for this assignment.
Your local government is the largest council area in the state, bordering Kogi and Benue states, what will be your priority if elected?
If elected, my priority will be to focus on infrastructural development, education, and economic empowerment. Our LG’s strategic location bordering Kogi and Benue states presents opportunities for trade and growth, which I plan to harness. On the same token, I and my team will do everything within our command to tackle insecurity challenges in the local government.
Talking about the insecurity, does it bother you, Barr. Odo that your local government remains the hot bed of criminal elements who perpetrate all kinds of evils in the name of IPOB sit-at-home order? What will you do about it if you are elected the council chairman come October 5?
Yes, it deeply bothers me that criminal elements are exploiting the IPOB sit-at-home Order to perpetrate crimes in our local government and beyond. If elected as Council Chairman, I will collaborate with security agencies to stem the tide of crimes and criminalities in our area. More importantly, I will rejig neighborhood watch security outfit in the local government in line with the federal government’s community policing initiatives. This can come in different ways. It can come by way of funding, training and re-training of the personnel. Also, crimes can be stopped by creating employment opportunities for the people.
Your party Labour Party is said to be living in it’s past glory of Peter Obi and has been enmeshed in crisis. Do you think your party still has what it takes to win an election in Nigeria today?
Yes, I believe the Labour Party still has what it takes to win elections in Nigeria. We’re building on our past successes and learning from our challenges. Our party’s focus on grassroots development and people-centric policies resonates with Nigerians. For your information, the Peter Obi wave is going to be higher this time around. I think I should let you understand that the supposed crisis in Labour Party is being perpetrated by bunch of deadwoods who were procured to be fomenting trouble in the party. In due course, they will be weeded out of the party and the party will come out stronger.
How do you react to the recent judgement by the supreme that local governments in the country should be autonomous, financially? What are the financial implications of this autonomy?
I welcome the supreme court’s judgement on LG autonomy. Financially, this means our LG will have more control over its resources, allowing us to allocate funds more effectively and address local needs. However, it also requires us to be more accountable and transparent in our financial dealings.
Nigeria is currently at the political crossroads. What should the local government do differently as grassroots government to ameliorate food scarcity in Nigeria?
There is no gainsaying the fact that food scarcity is the major problem in the Today. That’s why the masses are currently embarking on hunger protest. If elected, My team and I will support local farmers through training, funding and providing access roads through which they can easily transport their products. We will also make provisions for fertilizers, mechanized agricultural equipment and most importantly, we are going ensure that their farms are protected from the hands of herders.
You were once a staunch member of PDP in the state, what gave rise to your defection to Labour Party?
The insinuation that I will rejoin PDP is wrong. At a time in my political journey, I joined PDP and that was the period our brother and friend, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was given the ticket to fly the flag of the party. I was drafted into the campaign team even though I was not a card carrying member of the party. That was what led to my defection. And again, when the wave of Peter Obi came in 2023, I was one of the formative members of Obidient movement and that was how I became the Publicity Secretary of the Party in the State.
Briefly assess the performance of Barr. Peter Mbah within one year of his administration.
I have repeatedly reacted to this particular question in other media engagements and in all, I have not missed the fact that 100 days may not be enough to pass a judgment of non performance on a public office holder. However, there are some sensitive areas where Governor Mba is not getting it right which I have also pointed out in my previous media chats.
From a very close observation, one can see a complete disconnect between Governor Mba”s campaign promises and what is on ground. His failure to deliver on campaign promises is one of the things that is giving his administration a bad optics. Also Mba-led administration has failed in the area of communications. Some of their activities, including financial dealings are shrouded in secrecy and it’s not supposed to be so. The list is endless but, let me stop here and watch events unfold.
Why do you think that Labour Party candidate like you should be the choice of Igbo Eze North local government area this time around?
As a Labour Party Candidate, I should be considered for the simple reason that I am going to do things differently. I will bring my wealth of experience to bear. I will align with the party’s values and visions. I demonstrate a commitment to grassroots development and community engagement.
What have you done to your people to give them the conviction that you are the right candidate for this seat?
Though, I have not had the opportunity to hold any public office that will expose me for public assessments, I have held sundry non-political offices where public opinions suggested and continue to suggest that I have spectacular leadership skills. As a community leader, I have held reputable positions that fetched me merit awards from both the community and local government levels. In the same manner, I’m a renowned philanthropist. I have a Foundation known as Odo nwodo Foundation. It’s a charitable foundation. I use it to offer pro pono services to the indigent who can not pay for our legal services but are in dire needs. I have done a lot and the beneficiaries are giving testimonies.
Are you satisfied with the preparation of the ENSIEC towards the election on October 5?
So far, I have no reason to doubt the readiness of ENSIEC. We have conducted our Party primaries which they supervised. From the look of things, they appear to be prepared.
Does it also bother you that your party’s popularity rating is said to be gradually coming down especially in Enugu state with the defection of some Enugu House of Assembly members elected under your party to PDP?
Yes, it concerns me that our party’s popularity is gradually declining in Enugu state, especially with the recent defections. Yes, politics is a game of number. That’s to say that everybody is important. However, it’s pertinent I state for the records that there is no strong party that is devoid of one crisis or the other. We are seriously on top the situation. Our great party is undergoing internal resurfacing and weeding processes. We are going to come out stronger and better. The leadership of the party is working out strategies to regain lost ground.
What is your advice to the people of Igbo Eze North vis a vis the October 5, local government election in Enugu state?
My advice to the people of Igbo Eze North is to actively participate in the electoral process and make informed decisions based on candidates’ manifestos and track records.