Bro Stan Dara, a member of the Imo State House of Assembly proved a mettle in Orsu politics in the course of representing the state constituency back-to-back. While his predecessors tasted the juicy position once, the Knight of Saint Mulumba member is in the hallowed chamber of the House a record second time. From Dr Jeff Ojinika to his immediate predecessor, Emma Dike, none got a second chance from Orsu except Dara .
To appreciate that rare honour, from Orsu people Dara will no doubt take a honourable bow out of the state legislature for another destination in 2015. Any attempt to seek another House of Assembly ticket from his people will turn him into an unlikable Oliver Twist, hence the decision to say goodbye to the state Assembly in the next one year.
While Dara is plotting to quit the state legislature for possible House of Representative race for Orsu, Oru East and Orlu Federal Constituency in another party of his choice that may likely be APC since the members of PDP, the party that guaranteed him the two tenures, have sanctioned him with suspension order for alleged anti-party activities, a new face will protect the interest of Orsu in Imo Assembly after 2015 election hostilities. The new face no doubt will emerge from the array of aspirants said to be oiling their political machineries and engaging in subtle procedures to win public interest.
Orsu politics is unique no wonder several people are coming up to lay claim to the throne. It will not be an easy task for the eventual winner in the 2015 Imo State House of Assembly election for Orsu state constituency. Considering the caliber of persons warming up in different parties, the Orsu North and South dichotomy, including the overbearing influences of their political actors like Eze Festus Odimegwu, Chief Jerry Alagbaoso, a member of the Federal House of Reps, Dr Jeff Ojinika, Stan Dara among others, will make the state constituency one of the areas to watch out for in next year’s general election.
In APC, it is definitely going to be a straight fight between a former LGA chairman, Chief Cyril Odinka Okafor and his kinsman and perennial House of Assembly contestant, Sir Joe Odinaka. Both aspirants are from Ihittenasa, part of the area favoured in the zoning arrangement Orsu people may imbibe while handing over ticket to the would-be representative. Okafor popularly known as Cympok can be said to be in the old brigade league of politicians in Orsu LGA having been at the helm of affairs of the council in the past as Executive Chairman. After some distasteful experience in office necessitated by one of his erstwhile backbone (names withheld), Cympok recoiled and went into political hibernation for a while to allow the heat generated by his incarceration to cool. Indications that the traditional title holder of Ekwueme Orsu wants to relaunch his political career into light came when he joined some political soul mates to que behind Senator Osita Izunaso, the APC National Organising Secretary. Using the Izunaso route, Cympok is reported to be warning up to replace Dara. But he has to shake off another never-say die contestants, sir Odinka, who may feel that 2015 is his year to shine in Orsu politics after several attempts failed. Odds against Okafor is that he belongs to the “old brigade” the upcoming politicians want to torpedo in the reigning political emancipation crusade in Orsu LGA.
Sir Odinka until recently was a PDP strong man. Despite what he has given to the party with the umbrella sign, he has only been compensated with a supervisory councilor of the LGA, and member of Orsu North Developemnt Centre Management Committee. A grassroots politician with strong flair for people at the local level, Sir Odinka draws his power and strength from people than the so called apex leaders hence his popularity in the LGA.
Another outstanding candidate that may likely chase the APC ticket is a generous businessman, Uche Agadibe. Agadibe is from Eziawa, one of the favoured areas in Orsu North said to be very calm, respectful and without any blemish so far, the Nnewi based auto-parts dealer is believed to have the interest of Orsu people at heart. Agadibe may be used to compensate Eziawa who are yet to benefit from democracy proceeds via elective position and appointment since their person, late Sunday Umenyi was unfortunate to have died before his swearing in after appointment as TC chairman of Orsu LGA by Okorocha. Agadibe is in charge of vote Rochas Club in Orsu LGA and he is capitalizing on that platform to raise the political structure and win the sympathy of the governor for the ticket.
From the same Orsu North comes Mrs Ngozi Opara of the PDP loaded with financial resources to prosecute the primaries and election. The woman who is a community leader and philanthropist is making in roads into Orsu politics especially in PDP ranks. Competent sources revealed that the husband is turbo charged to subdue any opposition on the way with a view to making her provide the best for the people. Mrs Ngozi Opara may encounter obstacles from Orsu political class because of her feminine status following the unsavory experience witnessed from a woman whose husband is also a top shop in the constituency. The woman almost put the area in turmoil when she was incharge.
The clamour for a youthful representative in the House of Assembly for Orsu can be realized with the ambition of Hon Ikechukwu Okolie who was formerly a member of Orsu Central Development Management Committee and undountably a protégé of renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Orsu extraction, Livy Uzoukwu, SAN. From Umukabia, Okolie may likely run under PDP platform. Also in the PDP family is a habitual aspirant, Polycarp Ezenwa from Ihetenansa. Ezenwa otherwise known as Ezeimo has become a reoccurring decimal in Orsu political circle by joining the fray every election year. A product of the Odimegwu era, Ezeimo behaves like a rolling stone that gathers no moss as he will always show interest for one elective position but will fade out when the chips are down. 2015 will not be a different case as he is expected to show strength in PDP
Likely to also run under the umbrella party is a former aide to a renowned Orsu politician, Ben Ekwueme (Engr), Chigozie Eze. Also a youth, Eze will be counting on the support of his boss, Ekwueme to excel.
The last but not the least in the pack is old war horse and PDP official, Barr COC Akaolisa. Akaolisa no doubt is a household name in Orsu politics who desired to run for the House of Assembly position in the past. The PDP state Legal Adviser wants to break the jinx and prove bookmakers wrong that he is not a paper tiger in Orsu politics by grabbing the PDP ticket this time. However, COC may be moving against the tide because of the sharing formula which favours Orsu North. The PDP Legal Adviser is from Awo Idemili, Orsu South where the incumbent Dara, hails from. Dara it would be recalled is completing two tenures of eight years. Keen observers of Orsu politics are suspecting the hands of Esau in Akaolisa’s fresh ambition. A school of thought believes Akaolisa has the backing of Reps Member, Alagbaoso, from Orsu North clan. The information making the rounds is that Alagbaoso may be aware that the emergence of candidates from his divide may hamper his second term chances prompting the support for a candidate from Orsu South like Akaolisa for the House of Assembly position.
2015 undoutably is a watershed in the history of Oguta LGA as the people were denied adequate representation in the State House of Assembly. Narrating what may have led to the absence of a member representing the area in the State House of Assembly within this period may consume available space provided in this newspaper but suffice it to say that Ougta LGA has lost out greatly in the present dispensation. Suffice it note that the fierce battle by the contending forces denied any of the candidates chances to receive all necessary pay, allowances and incentives due to the LG. Since Eugene Dibiagwu and Walter Uzonwanne of PDP and APC respectively cannot be okayed to represent the interest of their constituents before the end of the present legislative session, other aspirants are warming up to redeem the lost days in the state legislature.
The list of those seeking the Assembly ticket for Oguta LGA is endless for now as a clearer picture of the aspirants have not been ascertained. However, one common factor is that some folks have started making consultations and subterranean means to woo supporters. Ironically, the said aspirants come from the three political blocks that constitute Oguta LGA, comprising Oguta North (Oguta/Oru Wards), Oguta Central (Izombe, Awa, Ejemekwuru, Akabor) as well as Oguta South (Agwa). However, there are divergent views concerning the political Bloc entitled to the Assembly ticket in 2015. While some claim Agwa Clan should be allowed since it has rotated to their turn after Hon Sir Ethelbert Nnanna Nze (Watch out) from Agwa was in the House seven years ago, others feel Awa/ Ejemekwuru and Akabor should be allowed this time having failed to produce an elected person for the House of Assembly since Nigeria’s nascent democracy debuted in 1999. Since this write-up is not focusing on the zoning arrangement in Oguta, the matter shall be settled by Oguta political stakeholders.
In the roll call of those said to be interested in the race, Agwa has the highest aspirants so far with a Trojan in Oguta politics, Hon William Ejiakor showing intention. A discussion of Oguta LGA politics without mentioning Ejiakor is incomplete. The sublime politician wants to take the bull by the horn to represent the interest of his constituency. Said to be a grassroots mobiliser with deep knowledge about local politics of Oguta, Ejakor is also believed to be enjoying a level of support from an integral part of the PDP leaders.
Joining Ejiakor to seek the elective position is Paschal Ejiogu. Paschal, the first son of a notable personality in the area in the field of politics Bonny Ejiogu, seems to be wearing the toga of seeking for elective positions every election year. In 2007, he was among the top contenders for the post of House of Reps. After a dismal outing during PDP primaries, the younger Ejiogu moved into Labour Party where he picked the ticket. In 2011 again, he was also on the pathway to contest for the same position in ACN. May be, there could be a Devine message that 2015 is his year of political breakthrough and it will be successful in the House of Assembly instead of the usual Reps position. Ejiogu will be relying on the contacts and influence of the father and the old reach-out he made in last attempts to succeed in 2015.
Among the Agwa squad is also Barr Gerald Mgborokwu who is said to be oiling a strong political platform to run the race in PDP. Mgborokwu is involved in community service of developing Agwa wants to add political profile in his resume for a breakthrough in 2015.
Awa has two interested bidders for the House of Assembly race in youthful Ezenna Okoro and Modestus Nwankpa. Okoro who was said to be eyeing the chairmanship position of Oguta LGA may have make a volte-face because of the yet to be fixed LGA elections, to consider a much better House of Assembly seat. Considering his rising political profile, Ezenna Okoro is likely going to dwarf other challengers to pick the APC ticket. Ezenna also can win more support because of his youthful status and political exposure in the entire Oguta LGA.
Nwankpa is another grassroots mobiliser who is in touch with the home front to be trusted for the House of Assembly position under PDP. The Awa-born is close to the former member who witnessed brief stint in the House of Assembly for Oguta, Dibiagwu. Nwankpa, a popular newspaper columnist can draw sympathy from his people following years of struggle for emancipation of Oguta people from bad leadership using his pen.
Though his ambition is yet to be officially confirmed and in public view but competent sources are revealing that urbane politician and philanthropist per excellence, Hon Uzoma Ezidiaro has retraced from House of Reps bid to that of House of Assembly. Ezidiaro from Oguta town is hungry for a political position but what he really wants is still cloudy to followers. The former House of Reps aspirant in 2011 PDP primaries was initially believed to be interested in Oguta LGA executive chairman position, but the dilly-dalling on the part of government to organize the council election may have prompted him to think otherwise and re-consider either House of Reps again or Assembly seat. His body language and recent political maneuvering suggest the Port Harcourt-based businessman is interested in House of Assembly election.
Nwadiaro is also said to have contacts and wherewithal to run for the election under APC than his contemporaries and enjoys support from undisputed Oguta political leader, Prof Tony Anwukah
