By Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili
With the current political reality in Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency, the House of Rep tussle is no doubt a clear contest among two political gladiators, the Oyi APGA standardbearers. Following the Oyi/Ayamelum declaration on Thursday, 18th of March 2022, where the stakeholders of Oyi/Ayamelum met and agreed that Oyi LGA should produce the next member, House of Representatives, there are many aspirants and political parties battling for the hot seat, but in APGA, the two frontliners whose fate will be decided at the party primary election by the delegates are aspirants Uchenna Okafor Wiper, former Commissioner for Commerce, and Chukwura-Abunyie Ugochukwu, an industrialist and philanthropist of great repute.
The two political gladiators hail from Awkuzu, a community in Oyi local government area, and have their structures as well a wide-spread membership across the Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency of the state. For the APGA, the contest is to maintain its dominance in the political architecture, in Oyi and Ayamelum local governments areas respectively. The two major aspirants Okafor and Ugochukwu who are striving to fly APGA’s flag at the National Assembly polls next year have been touring every unit, ward and local governments soliciting for support from prospective delegates as they reel out their manifesto.
A study of the political barometer in Oyi, suggest that Hon Uchenna Okafor’s declaration to contest for the House of Representatives, has been generating mixed reactions, in some quarters. Notable stakeholders seemed quite uncomfortable with the latest development. According to one Chief Mike Okeke, the APGA chieftain in Nkwelle Ezunaka, he said “APGA should look for a younger person, ex- Commissioner Uchenna Okafor has done his best. He should leave way for a younger person. He has been in government for more than ten years. He should go and have some rest, let another person go. We have vibrant young men Oyi, who are well educated, and exposed. We should give our youths opportunity to grow”
On the contrary, another APGA member in Awkuzu town, Mrs Ifeoma Uwakwe maintained that Uchenna Okafor has done well and should be supported to represent the Oyi/Ayamelum in the house of representatives. “Wiper, Omeluorah, is a good man. We will support him to the end. He is tested and trusted. He will do well in Abuja. We love Wiper, he will represent Oyi/Ayamelum well. Omeluorah is our blood tonic, he has been taking care of our children, and poor widows. We need Wiper”.
As it stands, interesting times lies ahead. Only time and opportunity will determine amongst the two brothers who would fly the APGA flag at the upcoming 2023 National Assembly elections. Is it Wiper or Ugo? Obviously, the APGA delegates will have loads of work to do at the primaries.
Ekenem
