NASS 2023: Who Goes To Abuja For Okigwe North?

By Alex Ibeh

Apparently, Okigwe North is presently made up of three Local government Areas comprises of Okigwe, Isiala Mbano and Onuimo State Constituencies. The Federal Constituency parades the most influential politicians in the state and beyond. Undoubtedly, it attracts a lot of interest as to who represents them at the National Assembly. Hence, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the would-be representative has the political wherewithal; communication skill, negotiating prowess, developmental curiosity and a grass rooted personality who know every nook and cranny of the constituency.

The fact remains that the collective responsibility of the patriotic sons and daughters in the area is to ensure that the progress and development of the constituency through a quality representation.

Everyone concerned about the constituency’s inexplicable contradictions should strive that the right candidate is voted into power come 2023.

The coming election without contradictions will be the most free, fair and transparent one ever witnessed in Nigeria since the inception of our nascent Democracy in Nigeria. Hitherto, the Country’s electoral process has been characterized by hue and cry as a result of political and government sponsored fraud at the polling centres and at the collation points. The brazen act of irregularities and violation of the process had denied the electorates the joy of seeing their voted candidates emerged.

The nation witnessed a new dawn in her electoral process as the Nigerian Senate adopted electronic transmission of election results. This is a proviso in clause 53 of the Electoral amendment act places on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the right to transmit results without subjecting their discretion to any other organ.

There is no doubt that it will deepen and strengthen our democracy and a move that will make the electorate vote according to their conscience. This will put paid to criminals having their ways as people of questionable character can no longer be voted.

With the amendments in our electoral system, we should rise up to the occasion to take over our country. The Okigwe North will not be left out in this movement. We cannot afford to be relegated to the background while other constituencies have the golden opportunity to present a platter for actualization of their dream.
The fact remains that we cannot think in exclusion. Any thought of exclusion will be very detrimental to our future generation.

Therefore, we will all participate and not accede to the fantasies of these rabble rousers. Rather let us have and think of handing our constituency to people who can connect us to the National “grid”, someone who can guarantee us unprecedented account of stewardship, Education, development, health care, Agricultural transformation, infrastructural enhancement and social progress.

Here comes, a strong call for Okigwe North constituents to support the candidature of a firm-believer in human capital development- a successful business mogul and philanthropist with a strong background in corporate communications, real estate development and special interest in grassroots political activism. Okigwe North needs a transactional leader like Hon Chikwem Chijioke Onouha who understands the nitty- gritty of managing both human and capital resources.

It is in business and positive contribution to society that Hon. Onuoha made the greatest landmark. He is a very successful entrepreneur and businessman with a heart of gold. In 2006, he established Rand Properties Limited, a real estate development company. He is also the Executive Chairman Fitquick Limited, a Manufacturer’s representatives and general merchandise company.

The Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Special Assistant to a former governor of Imo State holds Bachelor Degree of Communication in Business from Bond University , Australia and also an old boy of Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, Imo State.
In further pursuance of Academic excellence, Chief Chikwem Chijioke Onuoha very recently, obtained his Masters of Science(Msc) in Management from the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

Hon. Chikwem Onuoha does not need much introduction in Imo political arena as one who had held several positions in government and active participant in grassroots political movements, a founding member of Okigwe Political Forum, Osu Leadership Forum(OLF) and member Imo Clean and Green Initiative, etc.

Outside all these, the cerebral cum dynamic youth stands as a colossus in the area of philanthropy. He had sponsored students from Isiala Mbano till graduation, established Chikwem Education Trust fund in 2002, solely sponsored “All Okigwe North Secondary school football competition” in 2010, Ten thousand exercise books distribution to all Okigwe secondary schools in 2009,

Built and donated Parish Priest’s residence, attracted solar powered bore hole for Umuaro community between 2008 and 2009, and attracted 2-5km asphalt road from NDDC for Umuaro local Community.

In recognition of his social, economic, philanthropic activities and contributions to the political development in the area, he was bestowed with several honours and awards which include Ambassador of Christ, St. Francis Catholic Umuaro, Okigwe Diocese.

No wonder he bagged a Chieftaincy title, “Omeiheukwu”, the great performer in English translation.

From the foregoing examination of the representation some correlation and departure thereof may need an attention-how has the constituency faired in terms of growth and human capacity development

Regrettably, Hon. Chikwem Onuoha has been denied the opportunity of giving his people quality and responsive representation in the past.

In the political alignment and realignment within the Federal Constituency, there is clear evidence that his time has come to go to the Green Chamber on the platform of the revolutionary movement of the Labour Party.

Imo North Federal Constituency has a lot to gain as they support Chikwem’s candidature with a view to electing him on the 25th February 2023 as member-elect.

Indeed, his election is hyper-imperative for Okigwe North to have a voice.