By Ben Duru
There is no doubt that the recently concluded elections into both the executive and legislative branches across the 36 States of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has thrown up brand new faces to fill the vacant positions that will take place from May 29, 2023, less than a month and a half from now. The poll also availed some old faces in the current dispensation to retain their positions for another four years.
In Okigwe zone, the yearnings of the electorates for a paradigm shift from the status quo came to pass in such a way that totally dumbfounded the most ardent pessimist in the area.
In the first place, the emergence of Senator elect, Rt. Hon. Engr. Patrick Ndubueze as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in that election came like a thunderstorm. Nobody would have believed that with all the moneybags jostling for the ticket including the incumbent, the former House of Representatives member will clinch the ticket. But here the true saying that”nothing can stop a man whose time has come” ,played out. The over 200 delegates from the six Local Government Areas of the zone spoke in an affirmative bang that the time for a shift to the North of the pendulum had come.
They gathered at the venue of the congress to make their choice open without interference or bullying as was exemplified in congresses of some political parties. Money was not the issue here as the delegates insisted that buying of their conscience was out of the question.
It, therefore was no surprise that at the February 25 National Assembly election into the Senate, the earlier stand of the delegates were carried to the poll. From Onuimo to Okigwe, from Isiala Mbano to Ehime Mbano, from Ihitte/Uboma to Obowo, the story was the same, it’s the turn of Okigwe bloc and the choice is Engr. Patrick Ndubueze.
The electorates were firm in their decision, which completely confined to the dustbin previous permutations and jaundiced public opinion poll, majority of which were the handiwork of those without Voters Card and non citizens of Okigwe zone.
It had been argued over and over that the two other blocs having kept the office for twenty years was not only inimical to the tenets upon which the zone had been fashioned by the founding fathers, but also negates the principles of equity and justice which will eventually form the basis of Okigwe zone’s quest for the governorship of Imo State after the tenure of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma in 2027.
It was therefore patriotic for the electorates to refuse to be cajoled to doing more harm “to the thing that held the area together.” The determination of the voters across the various political parties in ensuring that equity and justice prevailed in the zone has once again given hope to the hopeless that Okigwe Zone is still cohesive and that the brotherly love and affection characterised by the slogan of ‘Onyeahala Nwanneya’ is very much alive.
It is worthy of note that the campaign by the experienced and highly qualified candidates for the Okigwe senate slot from the different political parties and their conduct throughout the electioneering leaves a lasting impression of service ought to be.
All of them came out and traversed the nooks and crannies of the six Local Government Areas bearing messages of hope, development, cohesion, emancipation, upliftment and general understanding of the problems of the zone. The campaigns were issue based devoid of mudslinging, name calling, pull him down syndrome and washing of our dirty linings in the public unlike what was generally witnessed in other areas.
It is therefore incumbent on the winner, Engr. Patrick Ndubueze to hold on to these commendable positive and take it to another level by ensuring that the no victor, no vanquished mantra is not only done, but seen to have been done.
He is not a neophyte in the game of politics and in spreading of tentacles having been in the House of Representatives before now. This provides him with a higher spectrum to deliver and bring joy to the entire electorates of Okigwe zone.
The decision of the former governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim to wholeheartedly step down his aspiration which would have led to serious ‘Ndorondoro’. He kick started this rebranding of Okigwe Zone by that singular action and this speaks volume of his desire to see that everyone and every bloc is carried along in the scheme of things. His action definitely will merit a reward in the long run.
This is a rebranding time for Okigwe zone, hence all hands must be on deck, if actually the zone has the interest to take over from the present administration. Okigwe Zone cannot build something on nothing. There must be alignment and re-alignment as the game has already kicked off. The endorsement from several groups and individuals is more futuristic and Okigwe Zone will not lag behind. We must queue behind the political leaders such as Senator-elect,Engr. Patrick Ndubueze and others.
The governor, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma has shown strength, believe, confidence and faith in the zone by standing behind the candidates from the zone in his political party. He did not demand to be worshipped or adored. He is a true lover of Okigwe Zone and the reward for a job well done is continuity.
Certainly Okigwe Zone is emerging from the throes.
Ben Duru, an Ace Journalist writes from Owerri,Imo state capital.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT