By Emeka Williams
It was a great show of popularity yesterday at the Awodiora area of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, Lagos, venue of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Primary Election, when the enthusiastic and jubilant supporters of Hon. Bartholomew Francis Chima gathered to celebrate their choice aspirant.
Chima popularly known by the electorate as ‘Omo Barca” was radiantly and confidently on ground for the all important election, even as the major contender for the Federal House of Assembly slot of the area, Hon.Rita Orji, erstwhile Representative of the area never appeared before the 33 delegates from the 11 wards who waited endlessly for the PDP returning officers who stayed away indefinitely.
Two other aspirants equally suffered the endless wait for the PDP who grapevine information said were at an important parley in Ikeja.
Officials of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, police, military and private security operatives arrived so early enough to join in the waiting game, just as the media personnel from the print, electronic and online genres.
Talking about his feelings and expectation, Hon. Chima who was eulogised and celebrated throughout the day as an all season philanthropist and generous citizen of Ajeromi, noted that he is managing to contain his joy for the stupendous support coming from the people.
Speaking, he stressed, ” I am overjoyed to have the great people of Ajeromi behind me.
“The love is beyond explanation, but I can only say that I have embraced charity right from childhood.
“I never thought of political leadership when I dedicated myself to the work of making people happy through generosity.
“I am hoping for victory even beyond the primary election, because the voice of the people is the voice of God, and one with God is majority.
“My slogan is God First.
And I am not going to talk about Rita.
“She is my sister, because she is Abia while I am Imo.
We are only caught up in this contest as gladiators.”
Hon. Chima stressed that political power should be earned to build the people and society, stressing that he is going to the National Assembly for the sake of Ajeromi.
On the ensuing delay due to the absence of key party of officers, Chima pointed that the party will end up doing what is right, and that the party is bigger than everyone.
Youths, delegates and others all raised their voices in rejection of Rita who they said had failed them monumentally in the past. INEC officials who declined any media chat said that the PDP official s are the ones in charge while they are like mere observers.
A certain youth who contributed noted that Hon.Bartholomew Francis Chima is just a saviour sent to bring succour to the Ajeromi People and land.
An angry party member who craved anonimity expressed disappointment about the conduct of PDP, stating that yesterday’s failure was the 3rd time.
He also praised Hon. Chima for using his time, money and energy to restore the steam of the PDP in Ajeromi where the past representative did nothing.
