MY LETTER TO OKIGWE SOUTH: LET’S BE WISE AND CONSOLIDATE ON OUR INSTRUMENT,DEACON CHIKE OKAFOR

Share with friends:

By Philip Ogwuegbu

My dear good people of Okigwe South, distinguished elders, respected leaders, and our hardworking women and youths,

I bring you warm greetings and sincere solidarity, with gratitude for your steadfast support, prayers, and commitment to the progress of our constituency.

As we continue to chart a course for a better Okigwe South, it is pertinent for us to reflect on the record of service that has brought us this far, and also choose leaders who understand the needs of the people and are willing to deliver at all times.

While DCN Chike Okafor John remains a strong candidate for Okigwe South, we understand the controversies but the truth remains that such long years in public service is not by accident; it is a testimony of goodwill, consistency, focus, and the trust reposed in him by his constituents. His journey in the House has contributed meaningfully to the development of our Area through quality representation epitomized by outstanding and brilliant legislative contributions in the hallowed Chamber alongside verifiable evidence of massive developmental projects attracted by him.

The business of lawmaking demands expertise and experience and like the old wine that tastes better,the more exposed and experienced a lawmaker finds himself the better for him and his Constituents considering the imperatives of ranking as an advantage while choosing their leadership and allocation of sitting arrangement.

On this premise,it is important for us to have a look at the array of lawmakers at the National Assembly whose constituents had the wisdom and foresight to return to the Chambers of the National Assembly for more than three terms and how it has enhanced their capacity to play bigger roles through which they impacted more meaningfully on their people.This is exactly what should dominate our discussion in Okigwe South by emulating such good examples as follows:

1. Hon. Nicholas Mutu (PDP, Delta State): Representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency. He has been in the House of Representatives since 1999.

2. Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (APC, Yobe State): While currently a senator, he has been in the National Assembly since 1999, spanning both chambers.He later became the Senate President.

3. Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos State): First elected to the House in 2003 and served continuously until his appointment in 2023.Before his appointment as the Chief of Staff to the President,he had served as the Speaker of House of Representatives.

4. Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno State): Has been in the National Assembly since 2003.

5. Hon. Yakubu Barde (PDP, Kaduna State): Representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency. He has been in the House since 2003.

6. Hon. Kabiru Marafa Achida (APC, Sokoto State): Representing Wurno/Rabah Federal Constituency. He has been in the House since 2003.

7. Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda (PDP, FCT): Active in the House around 2003 and subsequently moved to the Senate.

8. Hon. Alhassan Doguwa (APC, Kano State): While his continuity has a slight break, he is one of the longest-serving, having been in the House in the 1990s and returning heavily in the 2000s.

10. Nicholas Mutu: Mutu has represented Bomadi Patani Federal Constituency in Delta State in the House of Representatives since 1999.

9. Mohammed Monguno: Monguno began his federal legislative career during the Third Republic and later returned to represent Marte Monguno Nganzai Federal Constituency in Borno State.

10. Khadijat Bukar Abba-Ibrahim: First elected in 2007, she represents Damaturu Gujba Gulani Tarmuwa Federal Constituency in Yobe State.

11. Enyinnaya Abaribe: Abaribe has represented Abia South Senatorial District in the Senate since 2007.

12. Idris Wase: Wase has served in the House of Representatives since 2007, representing Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State.

13. Muktar Betara: Betara has represented Biu Bayo Shani Federal Constituency in Borno State since 2007.

14. Wole Oke: Oke entered the House in 2003 and represents Obokun Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State.

15. Adamu Aliero: After serving as governor of Kebbi State, Aliero moved to the Senate in 2007.

16. Adeola Olamilekan: Olamilekan began his federal career in 2011 and now represents Ogun West Senatorial District.

17. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal: Tambuwal served in the House from 2003 to 2015 before returning to the National Assembly as a senator.

18. Danjuma Goje: Goje entered the Senate in 2011 after completing two terms as governor of Gombe State. READ ALSO: Breaking: Zamfara governor finally dumps PDP, defects to APC

19. Ibrahim Gobir: Gobir has represented Sokoto East Senatorial District since 2011.

20. Abbas Tajudeen: First elected in 2011, Tajudeen currently serves as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

21. James Abiodun Faleke: Faleke has represented Ikeja Federal Constituency in Lagos State since 2011.

22. Kingsley Chinda: Chinda, a lawyer, has served in the House of Representatives since 2011, representing Obio Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State.

These names are eloquent testimonies of how thoughtful and visionary some people are when it comes to taking serious political decisions.They are not just familiar names but dominant figures in the business, politics and leadership of the National Assembly and it has greatly benefitted their constituents.

You should ask yourself why they are dominant and influential! Their visible presence and strong voice in the hallowed Chamber were predicated on their ranking status and that made it possible for them to lead the legislature and further utilized it to attract projects to transform their Areas.

It is necessary for us to appreciate the fact that true leadership is measured not by promises, but by impactful results. DCN Chike Okafor John has outstanding achievements credited to him in diverse sectors.He has shown excellence in legislative engagement, oversight functions, constituency projects, empowerment programmes, and interventions that have directly touched lives and that implies that experience matters and remains the cornerstone of lawmaking business. His continued presence in the House has translated into a stronger and more respected voice for our constituency regarding better opportunities for human capital and infrastructural development.

Now that we have seen the path of those who have served with distinction, we can confidently work toward a future that builds on those gains. This is why DCN Chike Okafor John remains a strong choice, because the goal is not just to occupy office, but to advance the cause of Okigwe South through sound representation, impactful legislation, and visible community development.

Let us therefore come together in unity. Let us speak with one voice. Let us support the option that can carry our hopes forward;an option rooted in service, guided by experience, and committed to the wellbeing of our people. Whatever our differences may be, our common destiny is greater than our individual preferences. Okigwe South must rise, and we must rise together.

May God bless Okigwe South, bless our leaders, and bless the hands that work for the progress of our constituency.

Long live Okigwe South.