19/08/2022
[8/19, 4:03 PM] Amb.Ebiziem Tony.: .
One intriguing fact about Okigwe South is that historically, the people have a tradition of not returning their representative to the House of Representatives for second term.
This has worked well with the constituency because of the gentleman agreement to rotate the position among the three local governments, Ehime Mbano, Ihitte Uboma and Obowo.
The current occupant, Hon. Chike Okafor, hails from Obowo Local Government Area.
Ibezim is no mean contender. He comes with intimidating credentials, having run for the same office before but was schemed out by the notorious impunity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on which platform he ran. He was the former Managing Director of Imo Poultry and Commissioner for Agriculture in the state. His sterling performance while he occupied both offices attracted much accolades.
Nevertheless, what is uppermost is to enthrone justice, equity, fairness and the sustenance of established tradition whereby no representative of Okigwe South goes for a second term. It has been rotated among the three local governments and it is the turn of Ehime Mbano to produce the next representative and must not be denied that opportunity.
Added to this is the fact that the senator, representing Okigwe North Senatorial Zone, Ben Uwajumogu, is from Ihitte Uboma, also in Etiti division with Okafor’s Obowo Local Government. With that, Etiti has held the senate seat four times in a row. It would be most unfair for Etiti to continue to occupy both the senatorial and House of Representatives seats, as Uwajumogu must be supported by all to return to the senate for the interest of Ndigbo, being the only APC senator elected from the South east and stands a good chance to get one of the principal offices in the senate in the next dispensation.
That is why the idea of Okafor re-contesting should be forbidden. It is not just mere delirious fantasy but also an aberration for Etiti to hold everything, leaving Eh
