Anybody who passes through the traditional complex of the Imo State House of Assembly, from the Port Harcourt road end will no doubt witness tremendous facelift going on at the place. The restructuring of the complex began since last year when the fifth House, Third Assembly abandoned its traditional abode for Ojukwu Centre, opposite Heroes’ Square on Concorde road New Owerri, to continue legislative business.
The exit of the lawmakers has seen tremendous renovation and fresh internal structures to rediscover the place. From closer observation and pace of work, the present state legislature led by Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu may not experience normal session at the magnificent chamber of the House, except there is a magic to fix the building before their tenure expire next year.
Expectedly, the new lawmakers to be elected in 2015 will definitely resume proceedings at the renovated complex being giving a befitting touch by the Okorocha government. It would be difficult to reach conclusions on returning lawmakers because of one running foul of premature permutation, but a careful study of the crystal ball of the fortune political destinations of some incumbent representatives indicate that many will likely bid bye to the Assembly complex by the end of the 2015 general elections, their exit will throw open several seat for grab.
No future teller needs to be consulted to predict that the member representing Ihitte Uboma state constituency and Speaker, Uwajumogu will be handing over to another member in 2015. Already, Uwajuumogu fondly called Odokaraomee in his locality has not hidden intention to run for the Senate position for Okigwe zone (Imo North)
Apparently aware of the sharing status between the two clans that make up the LGA; Ihitte and Uboma, the head of the state legislature has chosen to sing a different tune in 2015. The Speaker was a product of the Ihitte Uboma Charter of Equity when he braced all odds to grab the PDP ticket in 2011 to run for the seat. His immediate predecessor, Surv. Jonas Okeke was in the good books of the PDP and the power brokers that be in the state considering his Deputy Speaker of the House position. However, Okeke’s Uboma origin which does not guarantee him a second ticket knocked him off for the main challenger, Uwajumogu, to emerge PDP flag bear. As a respected gentleman who do not want to incur the wrath of his people by breaking the mutual agreement, Uwajumogu is bowing out to an Uboma person since he is from Ihitte Clan.
So far, few persons are said to have indicated interest to succeed the distinguished Speaker. Among them is Dr Harold Onumo. A youth activist and one of the few respected names in youth activism, Dr Onumo can be said to have paid his price in the state especially in youth activities in Ihitte Uboma LGA politics. As a prominent name within the state, the youthful medical practitioner may not need any introduction to get the support of his people to fly the flag of his party, preferably that of the PDP in next election. Dr Onunwa is not alone in PDP, there is Achi Chris. Chris is also creating waves to the undisputed leader of APC in Okigwe zone. As the Speaker wants to demonstrate he is in charge of Ihitte Uboma politics especially in the APC family. This reason warranted the ambition of Engr Ossy Ogueri and Mrs Uche Ejiogu, to run for the position. Ironically all the aforementioned aspirants are from Uboma Clan. Uwajumogu may be in a dilemma choosing from his Pal Engr Ogueri and Ejiogu who is a commissioner he is said to be instrumental to his appointments and also behind Ogueri’s ambition.
As if it is the turn of those in medical professionals to show presence in the House of Assembly, in 2015, another doctor is widely reported to be interested making laws and interested in representing Ezinihitte state constituency. Incidentally if Dr Ifeanyi Nwachukwu succeeds in 2015, he will be replacing another medical practitioner called Dr Obioma Ekennia. Dr Ekennia who is on a second missionary journey is likely going to bow out after 2015. Except Dr Ekennia forgets something in the House of Assembly, the uninspiring second round he has been witnessing since 2011 is not worthy enough for him to try a third show.
Dr Nwachukwu is of the APC. Believed to be one of the egg heads in Okorocha’s government, the fair skinned politician who has transversed few ministries since he was appointed commissioner by Okorocha in 2011, no doubt will get the ticket. For him to retain his commissioner position during any cabinet reshuffle means that he is one of the anointed “boys” of Owelle who cannot be denied opportunities to serve.
Besides, Nwachukwu is said to be in charge of Ezinihitte and may not encounter serious obstacles before emerging APC candidate. What the commissioner for public utilities in Okorocha government needs to do is to embark on face-mending moves with the state chairman of the APC party in the state, Chief Hilary Ekeh. Nwachukwu has been at daggers-drawn with Eke in the past over the soul of APC in Ezinihitte.
The emergence of Ekeh as state APC chairman may be a stumbling block to Nwachukwu. Despite the commissioner’s relationship with the governor who is APC leader in the state, Ekeh may use the opportunity to have his own pound of flesh from the commissioner. Nwachukwu who is from Okpofe, Ezi-Central, in the Ezinihitte three-arm political division has a chance because his area is yet to produce a House of Assembly member since democracy debuted in 1999.
Apart from the Ekeh factor, Nwachukwu will face armada of aspirants from the opposing PDP. Names of those rumoured to be interested in the race are numerous.
They are Mark Adindu, Bruno Ukoha, Dr Okorie, Barr Nwosu, Chief Enwereuzor. The three sections of Ezinihitte comprises Ezi East, Ezi West and Ezi Central where power rotation is observed. Oliver Enwerelem started the House of Assembly race in 1999 for Ezi East with communities like Onicha, Eziudo and Udo na Obizi. Enwelerem had eight years and gave way to the incumbent Dr Ekennia from Ezi West, who is enjoying eight years. Ezi West has Obeama, Umunama Chokoneze, Akpodim, Ife and Ihitte,. If the principle of equity and fairness in sharing political offices in Ezinihitte LGA is sacrosanct then Ezi Centre with Okpofe, Ezeagbogu, Itu and Amumara deserves a chance to produce the next House of Assembly member. Dr Nwachukwu from Okpofe, Mark Adindu a former LGA boss (ITU), Dr Okorie and Chief Enwereuzor stand a chance to emerge Ekennia’s successor. Among the pack from Ezi Central Chief Enwereuzor is more pronounced and has what it takes to wear the cap. An entrepreneur with reasonable means of livelihood, owner of several conglomerates enjoys enough popularity as a politician loved by all irrespective of his political lining
By 2015, another state constituency that would witness a new honourable member is Owerri North. In 2011, the immediate past representative, Nze Ray Emeana attempted to break the jinx even as PDP granted him the ticket to contest. But the LGAs solemn respect for rotational procedures in sharing political offices denied Emeana who is from Urratta Block second missionary chance following the victory of the APGA candidate, Engr Dan Ikpeazu. Not wanting to alter the rotational arrangement, Ikpeazu does not need a signal to know that he has only a year remaining to speak the voice of Owerri North. The lawmaker is said to be bidding bye to the Assembly chamber in Owerri, hopping to get the nod of Owerri Federal Constituency to be the Owerri man-in-Abuja come 2015. Reasons for Ikpeazu;s new disposition is not far fetched. He has to handover to somebody from Alaenyi block having represented the interest of OAU block after taking over from Uratta Block. The four blocks that make up Owerri North are Uratta Block (Uratta, Orji and Amakohia), Alaenyi (Egbu, Awaka, Naze, and Ihitte Ogada) Emekuku/Emii and OAU (Obube, Agbala and Ulakwo). From 1999, the four blocks have tasted it beginning from Rt Hon Nnaemeka Maduagwu (Alaenyi), Dr Ken Obichere (Emii/Emekuku) Ray Emeana (Urratta) and Dan Ikpeazu (OAU).
For sanity to prevail in the rotation agenda, stakeholders in politics of Owerri North believe the Assembly seat will begin from Alaenyi Block again under rotational policy. That expected resolution may have witnessed avalanche of aspirants from both parties sprouting from Alaenyi block. Despite the fact that no Nigerian law bars any office seeker from running for any position based on rotational principle or charter of understanding, aspirants for the Owerri North seat are greater in Alaenyi Block.
Most prominent among them in the PDP arm are Tochukwu Nkemakolam who is said to be a loyal party man that has kept faith and maintains good relationship with PDP leaders to be trusted with a ticket. Nkemakolam from Egbu who is popular is said to have started the race early ahead of others. Same applies to Engr Osondu Odunze and Pastor Chijioke Ude who are from Naze. The aforementioned aspirants are from Alaenyi block. Also from Naze and generating likeness for APGA faithful is Eugene Chiasa Chukwueke. Chukweke is favoured to come tops considering APGA influence in the LGA where Chief Martin Agbaso and Captain Emma Ihenacho are the party’s warlords in the LGA. Loosing the Assembly ticket to another party could be their political funeral in 2015 if any of them emerges APGA governorship candidate in the next general election. Chukwueke will also be experiencing challenges from a former commissioner in Okorocha government who comes from an influential family in Owerri North, Mrs Anne Dozie. Dozie from Egbu is also said to be in the race for APGA ticket, the last but not the least among the office seekers is Kelechi Osuagwu. The race is definitely going to be dicey in Owerri North. Awaka, Naze and Ihitte Ogada are clamouring for the chance since Rt Hon Emeka Maduagwu who started the race for Alaenyi in 1999 is from Egbu. That clamour threw up the Naze aspirants like Engr Odunze, said to be loaded with the necessary logistics to prosecute the election, and Pastor Ude who has paid his price in the local politics of Owerri North. It will take extra measure and extreme political maneuvering for the Egbu aspirants like Nkemakolam and Dozie to maneuver the electorates for a successful outing in 2015.
More analysis continues next week on other state constituencies where a vacancy is likely due to exit of the incumbent.
