Ebonyi: Abakaliki North State Constituency - The ‘Stolen Mandate’ By Emeka Odinammadu

The rise and fall of any nation lies in the hearts of men, because
from there are them all conceived. For this Chinua Achebe wrote, that
'nothing will happen to our nation which did not first happen in our
minds'. Abakaliki North Constituency is one of the constituencies that
make up the 24 seats at Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Abakaliki
North is predominantly occupied by people from Anambra, Enugu. Abia
and Imo States who in the tripartite Spirit of Ndigbo, found succor in
Abakaliki and have established there. About 70% occupants of Abakaliki
fall under this category. These are people who through the Spirit of
Igbamgbo have contributed immensely towards the development of Ebonyi
State. It is in appreciation and recognition of their business acumen
and developmental strides that Dr. Sam Egwu as first executive
Governor gave his consent to the arrangement of allowing settlers
occupy at least one seat in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
In addition, Sam appointed one of our own from Anambra State into his
cabinet. Since that time, successive governments have continued to
retain this man, given his track record and capacity to deliver.
In 1999, it was Chief Fabian Muoneke – Unodougo who represented
Abakaliki North at the House. He was a legislator for eight years and
handed over to Dr. JAP Okoro. Okoro served for four years, and was
bolted out in his attempt to return to the House by some political
buccaneers acting on the orders of a notorious youth leader and his
cronies who were out to create a divide between indigenes and non
indigenes. Surely, they succeeded, however, the scar they left in the
minds of non indigenes are quite sordid. People have their history,
but where history is not recorded and accorded its respect, rascals
dig trenches on graves of noble men and proclaim villains as valiant.
It is this return to status quo that Greg Duru has risen to challenge.
Although, that position ceded to settlers is backed by unwritten
mutuality. It has been respected until 2011 when the current occupant
of that seat and his God father desecrated that arrangement. It is on
good note that Abakaliki which is a core Izzi land is the most
developed area in Ebonyi State, not because it is Holy See of the
State, but because of the Izzi man's inclination to accommodate
strangers. This seeming 'stupidity' of the Izzi man has placed
Abakaliki in global map. The settlers in Ebonyi State revere the Izzi
man, not just as his landlord, but because of his foresight and
ingenuity. Today, Izzi language is the most widely spoken lingua by
non indigenes.

Since then, we have all had to walk like conquered people without
anyone mustering the courage to challenge this reverse. We no longer
have any representation in the House, where laws that affect us or
seek our allegiance are made! The essence of creating such space in
the House is to enable our voice to be heard. To give us the
opportunity to make input in the process of law making. It is to
enable us participate in the development process. What is amazing is
Elechi’s surreptitious disposition to this anomaly. The Abakpa market,
Mechanic village, Timber shade, Kpirikpiri market and a host of others
are places through which we have advanced taxes for the good of the
State. Annually, we buy cars and renew papers and get our driver's
licenses in the State. Our shops and beer parlors contribute in
raising the Internally Generated Revenue for the State.

Before the creation of the State in 1996, the non indigenes played
great role in the education sector. Almost, the entire primary and
secondary school teachers in the State, then, were non indigenes. In
fact, today's teachers will proudly call names of their mentors who
are either from Enugu, Anambra, Imo or Abia States.

The forth coming election is strictly about issues. It is sad to say
that the current occupant of Abakaliki North Constituency seat in the
House has NEVER held any meeting with us, talk more of consultation.
The essence of this piece is not to lead a crusade of his ouster, but
to place facts before us, weigh them and remind voters that 2015
election is anchored on issues and ideas. Evolutionary politics in the
Ebonyi has shade light to the reality that party is a crowd, but
leadership is about personality.

Given Greg Duru's pedigree and exposure, a more articulated
representation that will ignite a proactive change for the betterment
of Ebonyi is imperative.