By Ikechukwu Okoye, Esq.
I speak as one who is from Anambra and has lived in Onitsha and deeply rooted thereat notwithstanding my adventure to other parts of the Federation.
While it is regrettable and most unfortunate that Onitsha North lost the honourable member of the House of Assembly who represented them, what is before the people now is to elect another competent person to take his place and not to donate his office to a family member as condolence of sort to the family. The thought of that is in itself great injustice to a people.
When are we going to outgrow this kind of naivety in politics? Enugu has gone this path and it is their greatest undoing and helluva disadvantage to Enugu and Southeast in general. A contestant for the Enugu East Senatorial Zone passed just before the elections and the people decided to substitute the erudite legal practitioner with his brother who is apparently lacking the skill, relationship and persona for the lofty office. Of course, the said brother-substitute won. Till today, he has never said a word to my knowledge on the floor of the Senate. A whole Senatorial Zone has sacrificed their representation on the altar of emotions unfortunately.
Anambra should learn from that. This election is not about compensating anyone, it’s about competence, capacity and ANTECEDENTS!!!
Who is Mimi Ikpeazu? What is her antecedent? I have never met Mimi in person, but I’ve followed her on social media and I have been greatly inspired by what she has been doing from time immemorial. Mimi was not contesting for anything when she has been using her profession as a lawyer to assist persons unduly detained in custody and secure their release. Mimi has a foundation, I don’t even know the name, but she has organized and sponsored several outreaches. She is just passionate and dedicated to touching lives. Check out her profile and you’ll confirm that if she could achieve the lofty things she achieved without being in office, imagine what she will do if she’s elected into an office.
She has also served as Legislative aide to one of the most effective and proficient member of the House of Rep, Onitsha has ever produced, Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu. This woman did roads in Onitsha that the government was scared to venture into for many years. All those route from ochanja and Fegge received the golden touch of Lynda who is apparently a role model to Mimi.
Beyond sentiments and emotions, Mimi is eminently qualified and has shown herself as one that has the heart for this job. She has the voice, zest, charisma, character; she can bring back what belongs to Onitsha North to them. Do not mortgage your representation for mere emotions. There are many ways to mourn the dead, telling the wife of a deceased to ascend his position is not one of such!!If the late Member of the House of Assembly was a Bank Manager or an MD of a Company, will his wife be an option for the position merely because they need to show solidarity to his family? Why will such representative position with all the importance and implication attached to it be reduced to mere emotional patronage? Anambra let’s do better! Onitsha let’s do better!
Support Mimi Ikpeazu for House of Assembly, Onitsha North!!! Not because she’s in APGA, not because she’s from a prominent family, but because she has what it takes.
Dalunu o👏
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