A group known as Isiala Mbano Progressive Alliance (IMPA) has expressed reservation over the activities of those allegedly plotting to distort the political history of Okigwe North Federal Constituency with a view to negating the zoning formula.
The group stated this in a release jointly signed by Oliver Uwand, Aloysuis Onyekanma and Ikenna Aririatu, as Chairman, Secretary and Publicity Secretary respectively.
The release reads in thus, “The attention of Isiala Mbano Progressive Alliance (IMPA) has been drawn to a publication by a faceless organisation, hiding behind anonymity and sponsored in certain media outlets, attempting to distort the political history of Okigwe North Federal Constituency in order to mislead the unsuspecting `public. The said publication, built on outright falsehood , selective memory and overt mischief, seeks to create an entirely false narrative around the well known zoning understanding that has guided peaceful political coexistence in the constituency since 1999.
Ordinarily, we would have ignored such rantings, considering that the arguments canvassed were completely devoid of knowledge, logic and common sense. However, we are also mindful that a lie left unanswered for too long can begin to assume the posture of truth in the minds of the uninformed. It is therefore necessary that we put the record straight for the benefit of the public and to prevent deliberate attempts to sow confusion where clarity already exists.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, Okigwe North Federal Constituency has observed a de facto rotation of representation among its three Local Government Areas. Onuimo produced Hon. Morris Ibekwe and Barr. Mike Ohia from 1999 to 2007. Okigwe Local Government Area followed with Hon. Matthew Omegara from 2007 to 2015. Thereafter, Isiala Mbano produced Hon. Obinna Owubuariri from 2015 until 2020 before the baton passed to Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha, who has been representing the constituency from 2020 and whose tenure runs through 2027.
For clarity, Princess Onuoha’s first tenure effectively completed the second term that accrued to Isiala Mbano in the first round of rotation following the unfortunate truncation of Hon. Owubuariri’s second tenure. Her second tenure therefore represents the beginning of the second round of the rotational arrangement which, by logic and established precedent, should naturally commence from the last Local Government Area that concluded the first round. That Local Government Area is Isiala Mbano.
Given that each Local Government Area is entitled to eight years within a rotation cycle, the aspiration of any qualified son or daughter of Isiala Mbano for the House of Representatives seat in 2027 does not contradict fairness or equity. Rather, it represents the continuation of rotational justice and aligns perfectly with the long standing principle of shared representation which has sustained peace and mutual respect among the three component LGAs.
The purveyors of the misleading narrative know this simple truth, yet they have chosen the path of mischief for obvious political reasons. Their argument is watery, their reasoning is pathetic and their conclusions are completely devoid of merit. The discerning people of Okigwe North can easily see that what is being paraded is nothing more than political manipulation disguised as advocacy.
It is also instructive to note that Isiala Mbano has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the spirit of rotation across other elective offices in the zone. In keeping with the same principle, no prominent son or daughter of Isiala Mbano is aspiring to contest the Senate seat currently occupied by Distinguished Senator Patrick Ndubueze of Okigwe LGA. This is because Isiala Mbano has already had its turn in the Senate through Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and accordingly rallied massive support for Senator Ndubueze during the last election.
Furthermore, the record clearly shows that Isiala Mbano has always acted in good faith within the rotational understanding. We supported Hon. Morris Ibekwe of Onuimo during his tenure and even upon his untimely demise insisted that his replacement must still come from Onuimo. We equally supported Hon. Matthew Omegara of Okigwe LGA throughout the eight years he represented the constituency. Our commitment to fairness has therefore never been in doubt.
It is important to also remind our brothers in Onuimo that Isiala Mbano possesses a significantly larger voting population within the federal constituency. The reason this numerical advantage has never been weaponised politically is because our leaders have always chosen the path of equity and mutual respect. Should anyone attempt to deliberately truncate the zoning formula that has served us well, the inevitable consequence would be a shift to the politics of numbers, a situation that none of us should desire.
If the concern of those raising these arguments were genuinely about performance or quality of representation, such conversations could be entertained within the family of Okigwe North. Indeed, leaders and youths of Isiala Mbano have already begun robust consultations aimed at ensuring that the next phase of representation from our area reflects higher standards of leadership and development oriented engagement.
However, what we cannot accept is the deliberate attempt to distort history and sow seeds of discord among communities that have coexisted politically in peace for decades.
We therefore urge our brothers and sisters in Onuimo to call their overzealous agents to order and resist the temptation of political mischief. The zoning understanding that has guided our collective progress must be respected. Isiala Mbano waited patiently for its turn and will soon present a consensus choice that reflects the collective will of its people.
Let it be clearly stated that the peace, unity and fairness that have sustained Okigwe North must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal ambition or political propaganda”.
