By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Maja Umeh, has endorsed Uzuegbuna Okagbue, a former Chief of Protocol to ex-Governor, Willie Obiano.

Umeh described him as a youth with the kind of vibrancy needed to represent Anambra Central Senatorial Zone at the upper legislative chamber.

Speaking during Okagbue's visit to his house in Awka, Anambra State capital on Wednesday, Umeh who also served as Commissioner for Information and Culture, during Peter Obi's administration, said: “Some people have been asking me, why should Uzuegbuna go to the senate? He is young. I told them to look at the age of the people that constitute Nigerian senate as of now. At the end, we discovered that over 60 per cent of Nigerian senators are people in Uzu’s age bracket. So that argument was defeated. But they did not rest.

“They said, this Uzu, your son, that you are talking about, when he was the Chief Protocol Officer to the Governor, that he did not handle people well. I told them that Uzu held one of the most difficult offices one can think of. This is because he has a duty to manage his principal, his interest, the public image of the administration and the interest of the principal’s stakeholders who always wanted to see the Governor.

“And I want to say that he excellently handled the position well. At my present age and status in life, I have no reason to bend the truth. I am part of the system and I don’t say things I do not mean. The fact is that as the Chief Protocol Officer to the Governor of Anambra State, it was one of the toughest jobs anybody could hold because he was managing the Governor’s private intent which he only confides in him, his interest and then the image he wants to maintain in public.

“You must market your principal well, even when it is difficult because it is not your duty to go and betray your principal. That is the nature of the job. It is not easy and I commend him for an exceptional performance.”

The former Commissioner narrated that some years ago when he heard that Uzu was Chief Chike Okagbue’s son, he made his own findings by going to his home town, Umunnachi, to find out how well he was doing in his community, and from his findings, he observed that Uzuegbunam was on ground and have carved a niche for himself.

He added: “It is not enough to be born by a reputable father, you also have to work hard to carve a niche for yourself, that is what Uzu has done.

“There is nothing stopping you (Uzuegbuna Okagbue) from representing Anambra Central in the Senate. It is my will and endorsement that as you aspire to that office, you will win it.

“You will be there. You are more qualified. It’s about youths these days, you have the vibrancy to take to Abuja and given your antecedents, you will do very well as a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Earlier in his speech, Uzuegbunam said that his visit to Chief Umeh was based on his knowledge of him as one of the respected and influential leaders of his party, APGA, a good party man and one who has worked and continues to work for the party.

He explained that Umeh was one of those he learned from, hence would naturally seek his guidance and blessing in the journey he has embarked on.

Update news