The governor defeated his opponents without hiccups, because he is loved by his people and is very popular. He attained the victory under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that declared him winner said that he sampled a total of 65,653 votes to defeat other contenders.

The former contenders included Ahamdi Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that scored 46,070 votes to place second; Iheanacho Obioma of the APC scored 10,204 votes; Daniel Nnanna of the Labour party got 351 votes; Onyekwere Chris of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) 1,429; Chuks Chimereze of the UDP 591 and Enyinnaya Agu of the UPP 289.

According to the information by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, the result of the election was announced at the Umuahia North Local LGA Headquarters, by the senatorial collating officer, Prof. Innocent Aja Okoro.

The true character of Governor Orji has been revealed in victory. Those who worked for him are the statement of Theodore Roosevelt, which is that the credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

When the governor actually made a statement in February 2014 that his people encouraged him to run for the senate, some discordant voices thought that he was dreaming. But here is the result of that encouragement victory. He made that declaration at a civic reception organised in his honour by the people of Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South LGAs.

Ordinarily, the governor did not want to contest, but for the pressure from his people towards that angle. In the words of the governor on the day he was declaring: “For some time now, there has been so much pressure coming from different groups, communities, individuals and organisations that I should run for the senate. Since this is coming from my people, I have no choice than to accept the demand.”

Today, the governor has proved his authenticity and pointed out the inability of those who wanted to pull him down before the election. The truth remains the truth. No amount of d___ swinging, pu__y licking or a__ kissing by the opposition could smear the governor. People like Ajunwa are celebrating this victory; he is not losing the power of celebration. Ajunwa was among the persons who fought media-wise in seeing that the governor was elected senator instead he would be amused or entertained. Ochendo’s boys and girls all over the world are celebrating reverence and appreciation.

Governor Orji has the grace, which is the celebration of life. His win has made his political foes to take out their fingers out of their ears. The story of the success of Governor Orji would be told a million times in different ways and different persons might start to know and understand what grace and victory means, what to be loved by a person’s people mean, what to be a true leader means and what to clap for Governor Orji means. He is a winner beyond measure.

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– Madubuko Hart writes from Lagos