On February 26, 2022, the people of Ngor Okpala LGA, will go to the polls to vote for replacement for the vacant seat of Imo House of Assembly.
The election is a straight one among three major political parties; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressive Congress APC, and All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.
PDP is parading Hon Emeka Jeff Nwachukwu, fondly called “Elele”, APC has Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu as its candidate, while APGA’s candidate is Nwaiwu Chris.
Already, the election billed for upper Saturday is generating tension in the Area, as the political parties and their candidates make final preparations for the decisive election.
The seat was vacated by Hon Tochi Okereke of PDP, who sources said was no more comfortable with the goings on in the Imo House of Assembly, which the apron string of the Executive, leaving elected lawmakers redundant and frustrated.
The election, sources said, will be a test run of what will happen in the 2023 general election in the State.
This Newspaper learnt that Ngor Okpala Electorate who have shown interest to come out and cast their votes are pleading for a level playing ground, for voters to vote and their votes counted, and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to conduct a free and fair election in Ngor Okpala.
Among the three major contestants, the PDP is presenting the youngest candidate in the person of Hon Jeff Emeka Nwachukwu.
He hails from Umuneke, the Head Quarter of Ngor Okpala LGA.
It is said that since the history of Ngor Okpala, Okwe Court Area where Nwachukwu hails from has not yet produced a member of Imo House of Assembly.
Pundits say this may work in favour of Nwachukwu, as those who believe in justice and equity maintain that Okwe Court Area should be supported to produce a Legislator for Ngor Okpala this time.
Another factor working for Nwachukwu sources said, is his humility, age and conduct, as many suggest that it time for youths to be given chance to prove themselves.
Nwachukwu is a Graduate, Successful business man and Grass root politician who lives among his people.
Another candidate is Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu. He is a native Uvuru Ntu, in Mbaisii Court Area where the former Lawmaker, Hon Tochi Okereke comes from.
Amajirionwu is a well-known politician since the time of Gov Achike Udenwa.
He has been Ex , this Ex that in the various Governments that Governed Imo State, and was one of the Special Advisers SA removed from office, by Gov Hope Uzodinma.
Information has it that Blydem Amajirionwu’s Court Area in the sharing formula of Ngor Okpala politics produced everything that came to Ngor Okpala in the Hope Uzodinma Era.
All the Commissioners, Council Interim Chairman, Special Advisers, Special Assistants and all.
Ngor Okpala people therefore believe that Mbaisii is over saturated with positions, and therefore should allow other sides of Ngor Okpala test Government position and presences too.
Chris Nwaiwu of APGA who comes from Nguru, in Igba Court Area has not been heard of before until the present scenario.
However, his Court Area has the position of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency presently docile there, and many wonder of Igba should be handed the seat of Imo House of Assembly too, with the big one they already have?
However, the fights is between APC and PDP. But looking at the situation on ground, the study shows that PDP has a strong root in Ngor Okpala, even as the Big Men in APC today in the Area were all politicians who moved from APC to PDP. So, pundits believe they have PDP in their hearts, but wear APC on their Bodies.
Meanwhile, the fear of Ngor Okpala electorate is that the election may be hijacked from “Above” by the ruling party APC, knowing that if left for the masses to decide the outcome Ngor Okpala electorate will always root for PDP.
Therefore, it is going to be a fight to finish by APC and PDP, as APC sees the poll as an opportunity to gain a foot hold into Ngor Okpala while PDP will resist that.
