Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, is one of the largest Council Areas in Nigeria; even larger than the Gambia. But it is one of the most backward Areas in Nigeria.
In the politics of Imo State, the Area could be described as a Bat; you cannot say if it is a bird or a rat. Ngor Okpala usually stands alone in the scheme of things.
When it pleases Mbaise clan to “annex” the Area for its political gains, it romances Ngor Okpala. When it is the turn of Owerri Zone, it embraces Ngor Okpala, only to abandon it after “using it”.
It is for these marginalisations that Ngor Okpala that is thrice the size of Nwangele LGA, is fused together with Aboh Mbaise LGA to form one Federal Constituency.
However, in the current election year, things seem to be flowing into the hands of Ngor Okpala to either redeem itself or stay doomed forever.
Since 1999 the present political dispensation was ushered in, this is the first time Ngor Okpala will be represented by a son of the Area in the Federal House, after Hon Greg Egu.
Egu had represented Ngor Okpala-Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency from 1999-2003, after which Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha took over and spent twelve consecutive years without blinking an eye.
Luckily for Ngor Okpala, as Ihedioha was gunning for Imo Governorship seat in 2015, he had no option than to release his grip on the Federal Constituency position. In order to neutralise opposition to his Governorship from Ngor Okpala, he facilitated an Ngor Okpala citizen to emerge as his successor at Abuja without any fight from the Aboh Mbaise axis.
In the event, the man who is going to take over from Ihedioha as Honourable Member representing Ngor Okpala-Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency, Hon Bede Eke, has his hands full as expectations from Ngor Okpala-Aboh Mbaise people are tall, following the landmarks Ihedioha left while he bestrode the Federal House as a Colossus for twelve years.
The first time Ihedioha stormed the Green Chamber in 2003, he was a starry-eyed young man from a modest family, but got to Abuja and carved a niche for himself as he refused to be intimidated by number and status of his colleagues, as they were all equals in size and place of origin.
Fortunately, Hon Bede Eke is a protégé of Ihedioha, who may have looked at Eke’s pedigree and capacity to withstand the heat of Abuja’s Political intrigues and horse-tradings.
Naturally, Bede Eke is a youthful politician who has a way of easily getting on with people, including strangers because of his simplicity. He is a former member of Imo House of Assembly, representing Ngor Okpala State Constituency.
There have been talks that Eke did not do enough while he was a Lawmaker in Imo State. However, what many people forget is that there is a big difference between Legislative and Executive Duties.
While it is the prerogative of a Council Chairman to build Industries and construct roads, it is the duty of the Legislator to make laws and appropriate funds.
In this circumstance, Bede Eke did his best. That Bede Eke does not have fleet of exotic cars and Hotels everywhere like his contemporaries was simply because of the love he has for his people. Nearly all Bede Eke made while he was in the House of Assembly went to service the “Stomach infrastructure” of Ngor Okpala people, even though the same people went behind to term the Lawmaker a failure.
Whatever be the case, Eke’s God is awake, and he cannot thank Him enough that not only was he given a second chance to correct his mistakes, but at a bigger stage; from House of Assembly Imo State, to Federal House, Abuja.
Therefore, Eke must realise that all eyes are now on him, for many reasons; which include that he is the man taking over the constituency of Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the former Deputy and Acting Speaker of the House of Representatives, he is the next Ngor Okpala citizen to go to that House this dispensation after Greg Egu and many people will see if he will improve on his outing as House of Assembly member. In order words, whether he will prove his critics wrong or right!
Eke already has the experience because he knows all the rules that guide the Legislature. Therefore, his people want him to hit the ground running, by partaking in moving such motions that will leave a mark in Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise that he was once a Federal Lawmaker representing the Area.
Much as Eke is not a member of the Executive arm of Government, he can change the sorry state of Ngor Okpala roads, which is the immediate problem that confronts the populous Council Area.
Even if Eke attracts one Federal road to Ngor Okpala in his entire sojourn in Abuja, history will not forget him.
Apart from the Umuneke-Elelem road dualised by the Ikedi Ohakim regime, and the Airport road, there is no other tarred road in the entire Ngor Okpala.
Mbaise Clan, the nearest “brother” to Ngor Okpala has since left its “brother” in the area of road infrastructure. Nearly all the parts of Mbaise are dotted with not just roads but “Ring roads”.
Even if Eke directs his gaze more on Ngor Okpala, nobody will hold him culpable, because the twelve years Ihedioha spent in Abuja skyrocketed Mbaise’s infrastructural development.
Therefore, the Ngor Okpala situation needs emergency, as the Area is very much backward in development, which nobody can even explain, except that the Council Area has failed to produce politicians who can speak for her; no Senator, no Governor, no Deputy Governor, no Minister, no Ambassador, not even Deputy Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, until providence handed Bede Eke this latest position.
Unluckily for Bede Eke and Ngor Okpala people, it was this time their son emerged a Federal Lawmaker that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under which platform Bede Eke won his election, will be in minority in the Green Chamber.
What this means is that Bede Eke has to lobby much, the opposition Lawmakers to help him push his motions. Rmember, Ihedioha was not only from the majority party then, but was a principal officer of the Legislature.
Therefore, while Ihedioha would influence outcome of motions and Bills with a flick of his finger because of his position, Bede Eke has a herculean task to do that now.
But knowing how the psycology of our people work, nobody will put into considerations, these setbacks that Eke is going to confront, while comparing him to Ihedioha in terms of achievements after his legislative journey.
Another task that faces Bede Eke now is how to manage the plethora of PDP loafers who have nowhere to eke out a living now that the party has suffered a serious electoral waterloo.
Before, Ihedioha could contain the mammoth crowd of hangers-on because he had the capacity due to his plum office. Pray, how will Hon Bede Eke handle these legion of “supporters” whose means of livelihood are now centred around him as the only victorious politician around?
He expended his personal fortunes on his people during his first outing as a State Legislator but they said he was a failure, will he still repeat the mistake? And if he fails to meet their long list of requests whenever he visits Imo, can he withstand the blackmail and castigations that follow after? Oh no! I do not envy Bede Eke.
Therefore, to push these people away, he must find a way of finding jobs for the teeming Ngor Okpala unemployed Graduates. This is where creativity comes in. While nobody expects him to give jobs to all Ngor Okpala people, he may do his best and leave the rest to God.
For Hon Obinna Egu, he certainly will do well in Imo State House of Assembly as the Lawmaker representing Ngor Okpala State Constituency. You know why? There will be no basis to judge Egu’s outing, because his predecessor, Hon Emeka Nwafor was a total failure and left nothing as a yardstick to compare his successor.
Therefore, Egu should write his name in Gold by remaining focused. Lawmaking has been the forte of this legendary family from Umuohiagu.
Egu’s father, who later died as a Traditional Ruler and retired Judge, was a member of the Imo House of Assembly under the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, during the Shehu Shagari era.
His Uncle, Hon Greg Egu also was a member of the Federal House of Representatives in 1999 under the All Peoples Party, APP. Politics runs in the blood of the Egus, as their Big Sister and Aunty, Maria Egu-Eke was a foremost female politician before she died.
In order words, Obinna Egu has a lot to prove in the House of Assembly. He narrowly missed the seat in 2011, and survived a tough primary before scaling through in the main election this time, in which many bigwigs kissed the dust.
Therefore, Egu should see his victory as a challenge as Ngor Okpala expect him to live up to the billings, by being one of the vibrant Lawmakers that will make intelligent contributions that will make the 8th Imo House of Assembly debates robust.
Since Gozie Nwachukwu left, Ngor Okpala Constituency is yet to have a “Trouble maker” in the Imo State House of Assembly. That chamber is for the fiery and strong-minded people, who will agitate for their people’s rights. There is no gentleman in the Chamber, that is why everywhere in the world, chairs and tables are thrown in legislative chambers, when jaw-jaw can no longer prevail.
Therefore, Obinna Egu, must throw tables if the occasion demands, provided it is for the good of Ngor Okpala State constituency. Don’t throw even a plank, when debating your entitlements, because Ngor Okpala people will not support you because that was not the reason you were sent there.
Luckily for Obinna Egu, more than half of the present Imo Lawmakers are first-timers. Therefore Egu must not allow himself to be intimidated. He has no cause for inferiority complex because he has seen all manner of people right from his parent’s home.
However, politics is a different kettle of fish. Ngor Okpala expects no less from Obinna Egu. It was by the grace of God that he won the election. Therefore, he should not forget God in his procedures as long as his office endures.
The last election was an eye opener to both contestants and electorate. It means that 2019 will be tougher and more sophisticated. Therefore, elections these days will be based on performance.
For Hon Bede Eke, Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise are expecting good tidings from you, while Obinna Egu should brace up as one of the Leaders of Ngor Okpala, despite his young age. To whom much is given much is expected.
I congratulate these two sons of Ngor Okpala. I wish history will judge them well after their services to their people. May their journey be smooth.
