It is no longer in doubt that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Fed Constituency, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, will not be returning to the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly in 2015. Ihedioha braced all odds to be in the lawmaking institution a record three times. From 2003 till date, the Mbutu-Aboh Mbaise born lawmaker has been the Fed Constituency man in Abuja.
Definitely, the position is no longer for him in 2015 as the fast emerging legislative icon is dreaming of becoming Imo State governor in the next political dispensation. I was opportune to sneak into a crucial gathering where he addressed his Federal Constituency.
At his Mbutu country home, Ihedioha did state “I am no longer going to the House of Representatives. I want to thank you enough for the support. This time I have to look somewhere else. But please note that it will be the turn of our brothers, Ngor Okpala to produce my successor. Everybody in my Federal Constituency should back them. I will also support them because nobody will run from Aboh Mbaise. However, only good candidates supported by the generality of the people will be supported. Contrary to rumours making the rounds I have no candidate or preferred person. Everybody or persons interested should try and get the support of our people. But I know those who will not make it”
With these lines, Ihedioha has signed off and only looking for a worthy successor. One salient factor raised by the distinguished second-in-command in the House of Reps is that he has not anointed any successor. Therefore, the race is an open show for all contenders.
Interestingly, it would be a tough battle for would contestants. First, from party primaries to the real contest. Though, most aspirants are yet to make their intention public but within the federal constituency, it is no longer news that a pronounced number of Ngor Okpala politicians are warning up through different political fronts. The roll call is inexhaustible, but my attention will be focused on the Honourable commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief TOE Ekechi, ALGON secretary and newly appointed Imo State PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief (Barr) Enyinnaya Onuegbu, out-of-favour former PDP spokesman and AGPA bound Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, two-time lawmaker who represented the area in Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Bede Ekeh, Chief Cliff Ogbede a legal practitioner Barr Onuigbo without forgetting a seasoned oil and gas legal mogul Barr Austin Oguguo.
Ekechi’s persistent quest to represent Ngor Okpala/Aboh Federal Constituency dates back to 2003 when he first signaled intention to run for the position but was stopped by Ihedioha. When the present commissioner for Information failed to get PDP flag to fly, he moved over to less-fancied UNPP where he ran for the election though unsuccessful. In 2007, he was on the beat again wanting to make it but was for the umpteenth time halted by the Deputy Speaker. Same scenario replicated in 2011 when Ekechi gave the three-time lawmaker a fight of his life. If anybody has troubled Ihedioha from Ngor Okpala arm of the federal constituency over his continuous representation of the area in Abuja, it is Ekechi.
Now that Ihedioha has called it quits with the Rep seat, the coast no doubt is clear for Okorocha’s government spokesman.
Remarkably, Ekechi may not face enough hassles trying to pick his APC party ticket considering his elevated position wand ranking office in the administration. TOE as Ekechi is fondly called is a quintessential gentle man who maintains a towering image in political circles within his area. In a chance meeting TOE has with media Chief executives early last year before he was made commissioner, the media and marketing guru disclosed that he must run for an elective post in 2015 even as he is not too sure which of the offices. From all indications, the House of Reps is his next bus-stop as it would be easier to get APC ticket for that position than venturing into the murky waters of senatorial and governorship contests.
TOE no doubt has acceptable personality in Ngor Okpala. He has paid his dues and scarified to ensure that he becomes the second person after Hon Greg Egu to stamp Ngor Okpala signature at the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Armed with the financial resources as an astute entrepreneur and businessman to execute an election project, TOE may become the rallying point for Okorocha allies and APC in the federal constituency.
However, the popular saying that all that glitters is not gold may play out in TOE come 2015. Despite having bright chances, the ill luck that has followed his desire to win an elective post is likely not to end in 2015. Though, I am not a prophet to foretell, but political pundits are of the view that what may have encumbered his chances at being in the National Assembly for over a decade may repeat in 2015.
Another factor likely to work against TOE is his new camp the APC as most of his foot soldiers and allies in PDP lineage may not join him in APC. Again, some of his contemporaries will ask him to bow out having tried to gain the position in the past and getting compensation from Okorocha government as commissioner.
Now, the turn of the PDP publicity scribe, Onuegbu who took over from kinsman, Amajirionwu is looking forward to grabbing the ticket. The lawyer-politician is a seasoned politician with a knack for reach out beyond Ngor Okpala boundaries.
His outspoken nature and penchant for struggle is a big plus. Onuegbu’s new position and contact with the powers that be in PDP leadership will be his high point even as the chairman of Ngor Okpala LGA is reported to be one of those enjoying warm relationship with Ihedioha and party leaders from Aboh Mbaise end. Onuegbu’s background as LGA boss will sale him at the grassroots and raises his profile.
The council chairman will not be on a free ride to Abuja. Onuegbu will face the uphill task of picking the PDP ticket that expectedly will be a clinical finish. The recent schisms in Ngor Okpala PDP have further depleted the rank and files of the party with its attendant disadvantages likely to impede the progress of major contenders. Political watchers are also of the view that available political chances should not be the birth right of Onuegbu who has the executive chairman of the council position before stepping into the PDP state publicity scribe job and now House of Reps Seat. Those garnering resources against Onuegbu may likely teach him a lesson that he is not the only outstanding politician worthy for any elective post in Ngor Okpala.
Hon Bede Eke is eminently qualified among the pack to replace Ihedioha by 2015 if legislative experience is a determinant factor. Eke from Nguru Ngor Okpala went to Imo Assembly in 2003 and left in 2011 years after garnering enough idea in lawmaking. To continue his service Eke is relying on the structures that guaranteed him two-time ticket. A dogged politician with bias for grassroots mobilization, the ex-lawmakers, and amiable nature as an easy going politician is his strong point. Eke has good relationship with party leaders which guaranteed him passage to have PDP ticket to represent his constituency a record second time. As a household name in Ngor Okpala politics, Ekeh who is a board member of Imo River Basin Au thority is a marketable brand and only needs some pushes to sail through.
Having merited two chances since Nigeria nascent democracy debuted, the deciding factors for who grabs PDP ticket and eventual winner may ask Eke to have a rest since he has had a fair share of the dividends of democracy courtesy of the masses votes and support. Again, since his exit from the state Assembly, his popularity and grassroots touches seem to be fading. Therefore, he needs extra touch to get masses support again.
Chief Blyden Amajirionwu can best be described as “Infant terrible” of Ngor Okpala politics. Apparently irked by the manner things were going on in the federal constituency, the former spokesman of the PDP began a crusade that landed him into trouble. Before one could say Jack Robinson, the former Development Centre Coordinator during Achike Udenwa era was in soup, he not only fell out with his former teammates in PDP state executive council but also lost out in the power play when he was unceremoniously removed as the party’s state publicity secretary. The rest is history. But one fact is obvious, the PDP voice that once tormented the present administration has jumped fence into APGA divide after officially resignation from his former party.
Amajirionwu will run for the position using APGA platform. The seasoned politician will rely on sympathy support to carry the day since it was his struggle for the emancipation of Ngor Okpala and better deal for the people that cost him his elevated position in the state party working committee. Amajirionwu also has the reach out. The wave his gathering stands to be counted among Ngor Okpala power brokers and gladiators. No wander he is reported to have cross-carpeted to APGA to fulfill his dream of speaking the voice of Ngor Okpala. The titled Chief from Ntu in Okpala may be responding to a popular Benin adage which says “who de cry de see road” by going ahead with the Reps ambition.
But another popular saying that “who the gods want to kill, he will first make him/her mad” seems to be playing in Amajirionwu’s case. Observer are of the opinion that it would be a difficult task for the businessman to achieve his goal in APGA when he is PDP in soul and body and only decided to switch over to the new party because of frosty affair with his former party. His new found political strange bed fellows may not only find him difficult to handle but also be skeptical about entrusting him with the party’s ticket for the election. The manner he parted ways with PDP after becoming one of the party’s strategists could be an alarming signal to his new partners. His recent outburst in the media and counter offensive attack from the state PDP are killer punches capable of shattering his House of Reps ambition. Except he takes strategic measures to come of the wood, becoming a political leper may face his future political prospects.
While expecting reactions and feed back wait for next edition.
