By Eddie Onuzuruike
Election time is in the wind and always characterized by muckraking of different dimensions. An interview granted by Hon. Iheanacho Obioma to Chuks Onuoha, a constant detractor on page 30 of the Sunday Sun, July 15, 2018 was typical of the vituperations of a drowning political adventurist. I do not hold briefs for Abia State government as to address and debunk his baseless and feckless claims of APC’s looming superiority. In the same vein, I would not have bothered joining issues but for the high mendacity employed, especially the nonexistent claims which may misinform innocent citizens who may take him seriously. Facts are sacred and one shouldn’t relent when facts are twisted in Abia Central, an equitable senatorial District.
Obioma was the Representative for Ikwuano\Umuahia Federal constituency for four years from 1999 to 2003. In the same 2003, he vaunted for the senate against Dr.Adighije and failed. A few years later, he tried the House of Representatives again to no avail. Since then he has been constant in all the elections and kept having the same negative results. Has he asked himself why these spate of failures? Can any right thinking person continue on a trend without introspection? The constituents know why and have spoken with their votes on many times.
Senator Orji overwhelmingly won the 2015 election in Abia Central Senatorial district giving Hon. Obioma a yawning margin. Ochendo has carried out his legislative tasks assiduously resulting in 14 bills among other motions. Coupled with these are multiple constituency projects equitably distributed within the six Local government structure. Under two and half years, he published his score card in a booklet circulated in Abia. Acho is yet to tell us what he achieved with his four-year mandate in the House of Reps in 1999-2003.
The daily trust newspaper in 2016 picked Senator Orji as a senator to watch for his unprecedented performance unusual for a first time senator. In hot pursuit the Verbatim News magazine awarded him the beacon of democracy for 2017. Not relenting, the Authority newspaper, an authentic national daily spotted him as senator of the year 2017. These awards came from scrutinized results of performance. Before these prestigious awards, he has been roundly endorsed by many across the constituency, especially the six LGA chairmen. In April, in a thank you ceremony organized in his honour by the UkwaNgwa of Abia South for raising the equity standard in Abia, he was unanimously urged to go back
Elections are not won on the pages of newspapers. Acho Obioma is yet to win the APC ticket amid challenges from other aspirants. If he is lucky to scale through, I am sure that he has acquired a permanent position in Abia Central elections.
In saner climes where objectivity is the thrust for assessment, Hon Obioma would have led a delegation to honour Sen. Orji for letting the voice of Abia Central Senatorial District to be heard in National parliament.
He should allow Senator Orji to face his assignment in the senate.
*Eddie Onuzuruike Media Adviser and Legislative Aide..