By Michael Agbaji
The aspiration of frontline contender for the Bende North State Constituency seat in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ngozi Vivianne Orji (NVO), has gained significant momentum following a massive endorsement rally held in her honour at Ugwueke ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries scheduled for Wednesday.
The Sunday rally, which drew hundreds of party faithful, community leaders, youths, women groups, and stakeholders across the ward, ended with a unanimous resolution by stakeholders to back Hon. Ngozi Orji as the sole candidate of the party for the forthcoming primaries.
The endorsement marks another major political breakthrough for the US-trained, home-grown politician and daughter of the late Herbert Orji, who has continued to gather widespread support across the Bende North political bloc.
Before the Ugwueke rally, Hon. Ngozi had secured endorsements from APC stakeholders and ward executives in Igbere, Item, Alayi, Ugwueke, and Ezeukwu, further consolidating her growing dominance ahead of the primaries.
The atmosphere at the Ugwueke Town Square venue was electrifying as supporters welcomed the female politician with loud chants and songs of solidarity while she made her entrance into the rally ground.
Speaking during the gathering, prominent APC stakeholder in Ugwueke, Hon. George Evans, moved a motion for a vote of confidence on Hon. Ngozi Orji, a move that received overwhelming approval and thunderous affirmation from party members and supporters present at the event.
Leaders and executives of the Ugwueke ward APC commended Hon. Ngozi’s track record of service, loyalty to the party, and sustained grassroots engagement over the years.
They particularly highlighted her humanitarian efforts through her family foundation, noting that the initiative has executed numerous people-oriented projects across communities in Bende North.
According to the stakeholders, Hon. Ngozi possesses the capacity, character, political reach, and leadership qualities required to effectively represent the constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly.
The stakeholders further stated that her consultative style of leadership demonstrated deep respect for party structures and collective decision-making processes within the APC.
In a unified declaration, the ward executives pledged their total support for her aspiration and vowed to mobilise massively to ensure her victory at both the APC primaries and the general election.
Meanwhile, indications have emerged that Hon. Ngozi Orji may eventually emerge as the sole APC candidate for the Bende North race, amid reports that one of her closest rivals, Hon. Orji Udeagha, is under mounting pressure from party stakeholders to withdraw from the contest and support her candidacy.
Analysis by political strategists indicated that the growing wave of endorsements across the constituency has further positioned Hon. Ngozi Vivianne Orji as the leading force in the race for the APC ticket in Bende North.
