MAZI GBURUGBURU CHARGES SUPPORTERS ON GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE FUTURE OF IMO STATE

Dr Chima Amadi, on Tuesday, attended the grassroots consultation meeting of members of The Mazi Organisation (TMO) and the Action Peoples Party (APP), the platform under which he is contesting for the Owerri West Senatorial seat. The event witnessed a large turnout of supporters, party faithful, coordinators and grassroots mobilisers who welcomed him with chants, songs of praise and loud ovations.

The atmosphere at the venue became electrifying as members expressed excitement over his arrival, while Cajetan Duke formally introduced members of Dr Chima Amadi’s entourage to the gathering. Throughout the meeting, songs praising Mazi Gburugburu echoed across the venue as supporters reaffirmed their loyalty and belief in his vision for Imo State.

While giving his speech, Dr Chima Amadi lamented that despite trillions of naira entering the state within the last two months, Imo remains among the poorest states in the country. According to him, the failure of leadership and the willingness of some people to exchange their future for temporary financial gains have continued to keep the state backwards.

He warned that the culture of attending political gatherings merely for financial inducement rather than genuine commitment to change was one of the reasons true transformations have remained difficult. Dr Chima Amadi stated that while his movement has consistently toured communities and engaged directly with the people over the last two years, others avoid such engagements because they believe they can simply buy political support when elections arrive.

Drawing comparisons with developments in Abia State, he stressed that Imo State also deserves purposeful governance capable of transforming the lives of ordinary people. He noted that the next election would determine whether women would continue to die during childbirth, whether students would remain in school, and whether the future of young people would improve.

The APP chieftain passionately appealed to leaders and supporters of the movement to take the mission seriously, insisting that failure was not an option. He emotionally recounted how the death of his father during the COVID-19 period, which he attributed to negligence and the collapse of public healthcare, partly inspired his decision to venture fully into the struggle for a better Imo State. He lamented that funds meant for hospitals and healthcare infrastructure were not being properly utilised, adding that anyone who visits some local government areas in the state would shed tears over the level of neglect.

Dr Chima Amadi further encouraged intending members to genuinely identify with the movement by registering properly through the leadership structures already put in place. According to him, the political struggle ahead requires discipline, organisation and commitment because those opposing genuine change are desperate and ruthless.

Following his address, the Director General of The Mazi Organisation, Hon. Henry Onwukwe, took the stage and accepted responsibility for some of the organisational inconsistencies raised during the meeting. He assured supporters that immediate corrections and stronger collaboration would be put in place moving forward.

Hon. Onwukwe thanked members of APP as well as TMO 1 and TMO 2 delegates for attending the consultation, noting that victory would belong to the people if they remained united and coordinated. He maintained that the movement has every reason to succeed if members stay committed to grassroots mobilisation and proper election monitoring.

He charged supporters to concentrate on protecting votes at their various polling booths during elections and to follow results from polling units to wards and local government collation centres. According to him, the movement is determined not only to make Dr Chima Amadi the next senator representing Owerri West, but also to position him for greater leadership responsibilities in Imo State.

In another moment that further endeared him to supporters, Dr Chima Amadi opened the floor for members to openly express complaints, concerns and suggestions. He provided a mobile number through which members could directly contact him or report cases of victimisation and unfair treatment within the movement.

During the interactive session, Mr Chisom from Obinze Ward 8 APP complained about poor dissemination of information to grassroots supporters. He advised that the movement should intensify grassroots penetration through coordinators, particularly among elderly men and women, because that is where genuine organic support can be built.

In response, Dr Chima Amadi immediately donated the sum of ₦500,000 to support mobilisation efforts in Obinze.

Another contributor, Mr Uzoma from TMO 2, raised concerns that many members of The Mazi Organisation were not officially registered members of APP despite promoting the party’s activities.

Responding to the concern, Dr Chima Amadi stated that membership of any political party remains voluntary and that he would not force anyone to join APP. However, he encouraged supporters to identify with APP since it remains the political platform of the movement.

To further strengthen communication and coordination, Dr Chima Amadi announced plans to create a WhatsApp platform that would include coordinators, heads of units and himself for direct interaction and effective dissemination of information. He also used the opportunity to introduce other candidates contesting under the Action Peoples Party and appealed for massive support for all APP candidates in the coming elections.

The meeting ended with renewed enthusiasm, chants of solidarity and fresh assurances from supporters who pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation across Owerri West and beyond.