As 2023 general election draws closer, political movements, meetings, combinations, consultations and permutations have all began in earnest ahead of the general election.
Politicians have started to strategize and re-strategize to either market their prefered candidates or better still, throw their caps into the ring, in order to vie for one post or the other.
All thanks to democracy, which has always afforded electorates every four years, the opportunity to go to the poll to make their choices through the voting process.
From the Presidential to the State Houses of Assembly, the processes are just the same which is through the ballot.
In Arochukwu State Constituency, the people have never had it so good in the past at the mandates giving to their representatives, owing to poor performance or lack of performance.
What has been on the minds of the electorates have been an outcry every four years. But while the negative narratives continued to hold the people down, respite came their way in 2019, when they felt there was need for a paradigm shift from what used to be a norm in the Constituency. This followed the overwhelming vote that was given to Hon. Dr. Onyekwere Mike Ukoha, by the people of Arochukwu State Constituency, to represent them at the House.
But despite unnecessary litigations against Hon. Ukoha’s God given mandate over the tussle for the coveted seat, which was dragged even to the Appellate court, resulting to the cancellation of some polling units in Arochukwu LGA; and a subsequent re-run in some polling units in the area, he has immensely performed so well as the peoples representative.
Ever since, He has remained focus, undaunted, determined, unwavering and committed towards the welfare of his Constituents.
Upon assuming his seat at the House, the peoples Lawmaker raised a motion of urgent public importance on the floor, regarding the Isu community crisis with their Utuma neighbours of Cross River State, over boundary issues which has lingered for so long. This was followed by a delegation from Abia State House of Assembly to Calabar on the issue. They met with their colleagues from Cross River and their Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu on the matter.
Hon. Ukoha, through the collaborative efforts of his colleagues at the Federal level, attracted the attention of officials of both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and that of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to the internally displaced persons of Isu community. The outcome, was the provision of relief materials that worth millions of naira to the people. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the delineation of the boundaries between the two communities for a lasting peace in the area.
Apart from the Abians in Diaspora Commission (ADCOM) Bill, which he sponsored, passed by his colleagues and signed into law by the Governor, the Minority Whip has embarked on many interventions which are geared towards alleviating the plights of his constituents.
Hon. Ukoha, presented a motion of urgent public importance on the protracted deplorable condition of Uburu Ihechiowa-Amuvi Arochukwu link road, with a prayer that enabled NEWMAP/ABROMA to inspect the road with a view to embarking on drainage design which will immensely help in controlling the bizarre situation. Thankfully, his great intervention and outcry, both within and outside, yielded meaningful fruits with the ongoing job in the area courtesy of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha, remains the only State Lawmaker, who has organised a Financial Training for three (3) consecutive times for his constituents in collaboration with the CBN and NIRSAL Micro Finance Bank. This training, has assisted many in accessing loans for their businesses.
Due to the fact that he places high premium on education as one of his 7 points agenda, the Lawmaker, has offered bursary awards to students from Arochukwu LGA, who are studying in various Tertiary institutions. The second batch of his bursary interventions is ongoing. In addition, he provided financial awards to SS3 students across public Schools in Arochukwu LGA, for their WAEC registrations. Also, he sponsored Free JAMB classes for two consecutive times, for JAMB candidates across Arochukwu LGA.
He has built/facilitated the building of a modern 4 Class Room Blocks/office at Aggrey Primary School Ibom, Arochukwu and Town School Arochukwu. There’s an ongoing 100 percent renovation of Central School Obinkita, Arochukwu also by the people’s Lawmaker.
He has trained youths in various skills namely: Fishery, Tilling, Fashion Design, etc.
He identified young girls from Ututu who are currently undergoing skill acquisition in Aba.
As a Football enthusiast, he has organised Ukoha Unity Cup Competition for the Youths of Arochukwu LGA, the youths are all expectant of the 2nd edition of this all important competition.
Talk of Entrepreneurial and Farmers conference for all farmers in Arochukwu LGA, Ukoha also organised same.
The Minority Whip, has graded about 2 kilometre road in Isu Community, renovated and furnished a Computer Centre in Amaeke Abam, built a water borehole for Atan Ihechiowa, renovated Obichie Health Centre Ihechiowa and another borehole at Cottage Hospital, Ututu Community.
Suffice to say that, the people’s Lawmaker has provided financial support to Amuvi Uda Multi-Purpose Cooperative on Vegetable farming, attracted relief items from SEMA/NEMA to Atani, Ibom and Obinkita villages in Arochukwu over flood disaster.
On human capital development, Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha, facilitated a Judicial appointment for his constituent at the Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State. Also, he provided job opportunities to some graduates of Arochukwu LGA, in the Abia State Local Government Service Commission.
For the women, he facilitated a free Interest loan programme for about 100 Aro women for their various businesses.
For those who are not conversant and aware of the sterling qualities of the Lawmaker, it’s time to lay back and have an introspective review whether we have had it so good in the past 20 years.
Lawmaking process is not for baby seaters and rookie politicians whose job will be to go and start learning the intrigues and intricacies of governance. I make bold to say that it will definitely serve us immense goodness, if we all can join hands together to return Hon. Ukoha, for a second time as our representative.
By so doing, we all will look forward to having a ranking member as our representative and equally fighting for what belongs to Arochukwu State Constituency.
The time has come for all and sundry to rally round Hon. Ukoha, by jettisoning sentiments, bickering, division and bitterness. We must avoid being used as spoilers to prise and spoil this great job that Ukoha is doing for the people.
It’s time to lay back and think, because you don’t change an excellent performer whose time has come.
Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha really deserve a second time, therefore, spoilers should steer clear.
Chimezie Okoroafor; a Public Affairs Analyst Writes from Umuahia
