By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, the Majority Leader of Anambra State House of Assembly and member representing Ekwusigo State Constituency, has said that the legislature is not a place where people come purely on political grounds, even when they do not really have what it takes for rigorous debates. Speaking after his screening by the APGA Screening Committee, at the party’s regional office in Awka, Hon. Ofodeme said that “the legislature is not a place anybody will walk out from his business angle or come out from anywhere and say he wants to legislate for his people.”
Speaking about his experience when he appeared before the Screening Committee, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme said that the moment he saw the party’s guidelines for the process, he knew it was not going to be business as usual. As he expected, he said, the process turned out to be exactly something different. “The experience was very interesting. I think our party is growing from strength to strength,” Mr. Ofodeme said. This, according to him, reflects Governor Soludo’s interest in having the best. He also maintained that he was able to answer the questions he was asked by the Committee, expressing confidence in the correctness of his responses, while also commending the committee for their professionalism.
When asked to lend his voice as the Majority Leader of the Anambra Assembly, to the viability of the aspirations of new contestants coming to unseat some APGA first-time lawmakers, Hon. Ofodeme said that the mandate to be returned elected from the constituency rests with the people. “Remember, those of us who are there are there based on the mandate of our people. If you ask anyone, they will tell you that they are qualified. But when it is time for the election, you can no longer qualify yourself. You have submitted your application, you will now wait for the people to make their decision,” Hon. Ikenna said. Accordingly, he remarked that “today’s champion will not continue to be champion tomorrow. Any other person who can do better can be champion,” he said, however, pointing out that “for you to be a better legislator and for you to get a better opportunity, from the first day you were elected, you must find a way to see what you can do for your people, see what you can do in the legislature and see what you can do for the state,” Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme said, but maintained that experience matters in the legislature.
Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme also expressed optimism that APGA will sweep the 30 state constituencies in Anambra State, in next year’s election. “APGA is not working on leaving any constituency open for any political party,” he assured.
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