Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, 2023: A Season Of Epistles

By Chigozie Onah

“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.” -Mark Twain

Sequel to the clear legal and regulatory framework occasioned by the presidential assent to the Electoral Act, the gladiators for the various offices are daily stepping out into the political square. The arena is beset with landmines, booby traps and banana pills. An aspirant’s ability to maintain a steady political head, is thus dependent on his/her ability to walk the tightropes and overcome the vagaries of an uncertain political climate, made worse by the changing weather of incumbency, zoning, religion, ethnicity and other variables that may be thrown into the mix.

Since the return of the now not-so-nascent democracy in 1999, the contests for political positions in Enugu North Senatorial Zone of Enugu state have always been mooted or at most an elite affair in which, the gods of the ruling behemoth (the People Democratic Party (PDP) will simply anoint a candidate and all machineries of state are thrown in to deliver moon slide victories.

The only notable exception has been the Senatorial contest between Senator Fidelis Okoro (of the Agbadamal fame (PDP) and Barr. Chigozie Okonkwo (Ohamadike) of AD, now defunct Alliance for Democracy) in 2003. The election was so heated that the results were hijacked for more than three days before the INEC headquarters inexplicably (in the days before “inconclusive” made its unsavoury way into our electoral and legal lexicon) announced the wily Senator as returned. The present writer was then a starry eyed councillorship candidate of the AD for Nsukka Legislative Council, just out of college.

Enugu State has been unduly politically monolith since the fourth republic. It has the singular distinction (or notoriety from whichever divide you see it) of being the only state in the South East of Nigeria, that has been ruled exclusively by one political party for an unbroken period of 23 years.

While some will view it as a testament to the leadership acumen and development strides of the party and the governments it has produced, the more discerning know that it has been a consequence of elite consensus to share the positions, resources and opportunities of the state among themselves, almost to the exclusion of the people to whom sovereignty, according to the constitution, resides and for whose security and welfare governments are established (s.14 of the constitution). It is not in doubt that such culture of elite manipulations and lack of viable opposition have deprived the state of the needed viability, dynamism of vision and plurality of opinions.

However, in the lead up to the 2023 elections, it appears something is ready to give. The elite consensus is no longer enjoying utmost fidelity owing to personal ambitions and unfavorable calculations. The zoning arrangement that has been trumped as the golden formula for peaceful (passive) governance in the state has been disowned as an act of forgery and a figment of fertile imaginations of the authors or promoters. The legality or enforceability of the said document will be a subject of a more detailed discourse.

This write up is concerned with the avalanche of interests by aspirants to represent the good people of Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency come 2023. Presently, the seat is occupied by Hon. Dr. Pat Oziokoja Asadu, a medical doctor turned politician and who is presently in his fourth odyssey in the green chambers of the National Assembly, spanning a period of almost sixteen (16) unbroken years. In a polity in which public positions are generally and unfortunately seen as an invitation to the dining table at the expense of the long suffering masses, many are averse to his return for a fifth term. This is not helped by the general perception that his stewardship has been below par, save for personal political and financial gains. His representation at the floor has been lackluster in terms of bills and motions sponsored or contributions to general debate, his committee work perfunctory and attraction of federal presence abysmal, even a ranking member of the House. However, with deep pockets and access to the inner recesses of the party hierarchy, he has purchased the return nomination form and is poised to highjack the ticket of the PDP as he did in 2015.

The incumbent coming from one of the ambidextrous council constituency (Igbo-Eze South), there is general outrage from the sister council area (Nsukka) over the seeming monopolization of the constituency representation by the four time legislator. It is noteworthy that Nsukka LGA has represented the constituency for only two out of the eight terms since the return of democracy.

Many accomplished, and not so accomplished aspirants have risen in Nsukka in righteous anger to wrest the seat from the incumbent. As at the last count, about ten aspirants including the incumbent have signified interest in the plum legislative job, from the PDP alone. Some are alleged to be proxies planted by the incumbent in an attempt to muddle up the waters, the ensuing confusion, he hopes to reap from.

Amongst the aspirants is Chief (Engr) Vita Abba, OON, a former state chairman of the ruling party, an accomplished industrialist and a philanthropist of note. Fondly called Onwa Nsukka, his reputation and rich networks transcend the state and region. He is the founder and leader of Odinma Nsukka, a famous political movement to protect the interest of Nsukka people in the dynamics of state and national governance. His grassroots appeal, humility and peaceful disposition stand him out from the pack.

Another notable entrant to the ring is the present Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon(Barr) Peter Chigozie Okonkwo (Ohamadike), the very young lawyer that almost thwarted Senator Okoro’s quest for a third of his coveted three pronged terms (ekwu na ato). Ohamadike was suave, dynamic and electrified the campaign stops, unlike his then contender who campaigned against himself and boasted to win, even if voted out. And it came to pass. Such was the stranglehold of the party on the zone and the characters on display. The lawyer cum administrator has not hidden his admiration for representative democracy and desire to be his people’s mouth piece. He has embarked on epistolary foray to dissuade the incumbent from an attempt on a fifth bite at the national cherry.

Other younger contenders like Emeka Asogwa, an online business merchant, youth empowerment enthusiast and an SA to the state Governor has also thrown his hat into the fray. Other less prominent candidates are also oiling their machinery for the battle ahead. As they say, the more the merrier.

It is indisputable that the internet and social media have become veritable platforms for the propagation of political ideas and mobilization of supporters. From the Obama campaign to the Arab spring, the social media has been positioned as veritable platform for politics, governance and advocacy for change, especially amongst the young ones. Already, the internet is abuzz with posters and messages of the gladiators, their supporters and support groups. Some of the contenders have told us that their nomination forms have been purchased by their friends or beneficiaries of or believers in their outstanding qualities. Nobody is fooled though.

Another dimension in this new election circle has been the use of open letters by the contenders and other interest groups. The first epistolary salvo was fired by Ozioko Onyebuchi Kenneth Esq ostensibly against the inimitable Onwa Nsukka. In the missive, the lawyer/politician outlined, in glowing terms, the attributes and achievements of the aspirant. In his own words, Engr. Abba is the most qualified, most humble, most experienced of all the aspirants. Surprisingly however, he advised Engr. Abba to withdraw from the race and continue to play his statesmanlike roles for the Nsukka Zone. While hordes of Chief Abba’s fervent supporters are outraged by the epistle and have responded with vigour, insisting that the Onwa is clearly the man for the job, at the moment. This writer believes that the Barr. Ozioko actually did more unsolicited PR job for the philanthropist than most of his supporters can muster. But the question to the letter writer is, why send the second best if the best is willing and ready to offer his services?

Few days after, one of the aspirants, Hon. Peter Okonkwo (Ohamadike) also took the open letter platform to address “his friend and brother”, Hon. Pat Asadu, the present occupant. He accused the latterg of reneging on their gentlemanly agreement in the lead up to the 2019 elections that Asadu will return to the house for the fourth and last time and thereafter yield the baton to him or another. He described the Hon. Asadu’s now apparent desire to return to the green chambers in such pejorative terms as sectional, devilish and retarding on the political development of the constituency and its people. Camp Pat has responded with greater vehemence accusing the commissioner of inventing the said agreement to curtail the untrammeled constitutional right of the legislator to hold on to the position as long as the party apparatchik and the electorate find him electable.

In all these brickbats, it has become clearer that the internet and social media will play critical roles in the evolving political dynamics of the state and the constituency. While the elite consensus is being undermined by both former beneficiaries and detractors, the electoral playing field in my state and constituency may just become open for greater participation and scrutiny. The candidates will then have to canvass for support based on their antecedents, experience and qualifications. The ubiquitous smartphone and social media are now veritable windows to our hearts and minds, even in remote places where political stops will be unimaginable.

As we look forward to more epistles in the lead up to the primaries and general elections, we implore the authors to pay more fidelity to truth, to advance the quality of the debate tackling real issues and even extend it to demanding accountability from present and past occupiers of various offices.

The ruling PDP and its leaders should be wary of taking the patience and loyalty of the people for granted. The new Electoral Act has innovative provisions that may make their routes to customary landslide victories a mirage in the coming elections. With APC in power in the two neighbouring states of Ebonyi and Imo and APGA’s resurgence in Anambra, the ripples will surely be felt in the run up to the coming elections. It is time the leaders fielded candidates with mass appeal and good track records to avoid major upsets in 2023.

To end with the introductory quote, public office is no one’s birthright nor a life time stool. The revolving door admits and ejects occupants at intervals, for effective and responsible representation. The time to hear other cocks crow from Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency is nigh.

Onah, a lawyer and law teacher writes from Abuja.