Extend whistle- blowing policy to electoral fraud, Senator Orji tells FG

www.odogwublog.com reports that Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central district has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the whistle- blowing policy of his administration to the country's electoral system and clean up the endemic corruption in the system.

The former Governor who gave the advice during a town hall meeting with his constituents held at the Umuahia North council headquarters on Sunday, said corruption " is not stealing money alone but corruption abounds in different shapes in our polity".

He decried the high level of corruption endemic in Nigeria's electoral system and urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency beam its anti- corruption searchlight on the electoral system.

His words: " Whistle- blowing is a good policy but it should not be limited to information about stollen money alone; snatching of ballot papers is also corruption.

" No corruption can be worse than forging of election results. Electoral fraud is the worst form of corruption, and I think time has come for whistle blowers to also expose the perpetrators so that the system can be cleaned up",  Orji said.

Orji who used the opportunity to give his score card so far at the senate, said he had given a good account of himself at the upper chamber despite the fact he was a first timer.

He said he had so far moved three bills, and sponsored nine bills one of which already had been passed into an Act waiting presidential assent while others are at various stages of the process of passage.

Some of the bills include: " A bill for an Act to make provision for freedom from hunger, and the right to adequate food of acceptable quality, right of every child to basic nutrition and for connected purposes; National Emergency bill; a bill for an Act to provide for National Planning process , among others.

The senator also said he had performed well in attracting federal projects to the zone identifying electrification of Umuhute Azueke autonomous community in Umuahia North; Ahiaba/ Okpuala community electrification project; electrification of Nvosi 1 in Isialangwa South LGA as some of his achievements.

Others include 500 KVA electricity transformers for Uwalaka Street/ Enugu Road,  Okpu in Osisioma, and solar- powered motorised borehole at Amuzu community in Osisioma LGA, and another at Umudara Ahuwa Oboro in Ikwuano LGA.

Orji also said that he attracted the Umuakanu/ Umuagu road with a big bridge at Emede Ibeku; rehabilitation of Umuire- Udide- Umuodudu-Agbo road; among erosion controls in parts of the district.

The senator restated his resolve to sustain his scholarship scheme which has so far benefited 220 undergraduates - 10 from each of the six LGAs in the zone per annum.

Orji who said those in search of job and financial assistance top the list of visitors at his Abuja office promised to keep trying his best to better the lots of his constituents using his contacts.

He particularly expressed delight that repair works had commenced on the deplorable Ikot- Ekpene / Umuahia federal highway through his collaborative efforts  with Ho. Sam Onuigbo of the House of representatives.

Recalling his instrumentality in the movement of power to Abia South senatorial district in 2015, the former Governor said he was fulfilled that he restored peace to Abia polity as governorship stool of the state has now gone round all three zones.

The highlight of the event was the passing of vote of implicit confidence on Senator Orji by the stakeholders and his endorsement for second term in office.

Former Majority Leader of Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Wisdom Ogbonnay moved the motion, while Chief Charles Ogbonnaya seconded it.

On the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Orji advised party faithful to remain calm as the SupremeCourt would soon give its judgement and lay the debacle to rest.

In their responses, former Minister of State for Defense, Col. Austin Akobundu ( retd.); Chairman of Isiala Ngwa LGA Ginger Onwuasoibe ; and the President of Ibeku Egwuasa Development Association, Emeka Enyeazu, respectively , commended Orji for his achievements so far at the senate.

They expressed delight at the quality of representation by the senator in less than two years and urged him to do more in the remaining part of his tenure.