Before I make a detour to other interesting areas of discussion concerning the 2015 battle for political positions in Imo State, let me take another lap in the serial reportage of where the present members of Imo State House of Assembly may find themselves after the next general elections.
Opening this week’s commentary on the third part of “Imo Assembly Lawmakers and their Next Political Destinations” is the member representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency in the House, Hon Mrs Ngozi Pat-Ekeji. Prior to her movement to the state legislature, Hon Mike Iheanaetu represented the people 2007-2011. Iheanaetu fondly called Akwaa akwuru (nobody can fall me) wanted a second ticket. However, Iheanaetu seemed to have had no stiff challenges to another chance when two women; Mrs Pat-Ekeji and Barr Ogeji Njoku joined the fray in a different fashion. At the end of the hostilities after PDP primaries, Akwaa akwuru was humbly demolished, putting question mark on his famed name. In the process, Mrs Ngozi Pat-Ekeji, wife of renowned sports administrator and recently retired Federal Director of Sports in the National Sports Commission, NSC, Pat Ekeji, emerged PDP candidate and went ahead to clinch the title.
In the House of Assembly, Mrs Pat-Ekeji became principal officer as she is the Minority Leader. Midway after getting the mandate of Aboh Mbaise people, the granny otherwise known as Olaedo wants another chance in the House. Indications that Olaedo wants another ticket is not far fetched as her antecedents since she became a member of the state legislature indicate that 2015 would be another challenging year in her political career. In order to keep faith with her supporters, Olaedo refused to join the political turn coats in the House who are mainly of the PDP family. Unlike her PDP colleagues who wear PDPs shoe in one leg and APGA/APC canvas in the other, Mrs Pat Ekeji remains resolute about her party lineage. That identity has endeared her into the hearts of her constituents who are considering a second ticket to her.
Mrs Ekeji is not leaving any stone unturned in the quest for a return ticket. In this regard, the Minority Leader has begun subtle moves once again to catch the fancy of her people. First in this step is the resuscitation of her campaign billboards on the Owerri-Mbaise road.
The deteriorated billboards have been rehabilated and given a fresh touch and face lift. More so, the woman has maintained healthy relationship with political leaders in the area since she got the mandate two years. Olaedo no doubt enjoys a cosy relationship with the undisputed PDP leader in the area and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha as she is always spotted at public functions with the Reps member. Again, Mrs Ekeji unlike other elected office holders has also retained and maintained her political structure by keeping in touch with coordinators at all levels. However, the lawmaker’s albatros may be the issue of second tenure which no person has enjoyed a record second tenure in Aboh Mbaise.
He is fast becoming a household name in Owerri West and creating much awareness of late. His name is Innocent Ekeh popularly addressed as Obilumba. Obilumba is the member representing Owerri West State Constituency. Though a late comer to the House due to the bye-election that denied him inauguration alongside members of the state legislature. After tasting legislative business in the hallowed chambers, Obilumba is turbo-charged for a return ticket. This move has forced the owner of Master Chef Foods to reinvigorate his philanthropic gestures. Apart from organizing football competitions and making reachout to several constituents, Obilumba is re-organizing his political platform and family by extending welfare and material gestures to leaders of thought and political generals in Owerri West. Despite skirmishes experienced in the hands of few leaders like the Council Chairman, Prince Arnold Nelson, Obilumba has remained steadfast in his quest for a second tenure.
Joining Obilumba in the second term desire is the popular Onwa Okigwe; Chief Acho Ihim. Onwa Okigwe is also one of the few present state lawmakers who have made meaningful progress in their respective political careers. He belongs to the cadre of present members who have tasted office as a Council Chairman. Interestingly, Onwa Okigwe is one of the few members who got to the House through PDP ticket but dumped the party for APGA where he emerged Deputy Majority Leader.
Onwa Okigwe has been employing several tactics to re-launch into the hearts of the people who initially expressed misgiving over his chameleon-type of politics. Apparently aware of the ill-feelings of most of his former supporters who backed him during the PDP days like Prof Nnamdi Obiareri, Onwa Okigwe is building a face-mending strategy across board for a second tenure. That informed his decision to flaunt and make public some achievements recorded by the state government as by-products of his sojourn in the House. The numerous developmental projects of the present government have turned to Ihim’s weapon for a second tenure. The Okigwe representative is not frightened by the rotational agreement which I brand “Mmanu akara di uto” policy, to seek another chance. He is securing the support of relevant leaders for the task ahead especially those sympathetic to APC/APGA.
On a final note, the ambition of the member representing Obowo, Hon Celestine Ngaobiwu will close this chapter.
The soft-talking Ngaobiwu would be completing his second tenure by 2015. Having secured the mandate of Obowo people through the PDP electoral prowess, it is certain he may not try a political suicide seeking a third chance to avoid the wrath of the people. Indications are rife that Dede Cele as he is fondly called is eyeing House of Reps ticket for Obowo/Ihitte Uboma and Ehime Mbano Federal Constituency.
Since Obowo has not produced any candidate since our nascent democracy, equity and fair play demands that a person from Obowo be allowed to take the position. And a ranking lawmaker in the person of Hon Ngaobiwu is eminently qualified, hence his fresh desires. It was also learnt the lawmaker is making wide consultations to know if it would be a wild goose chase attempting to go further or consolidating what he had gained so far from the state legislature in the last eight years.
All eyes are on Hon Ngaobiwu to show the way before his camps re-engage in the usual politicking.
