By Barr. Sam Hart
It is no longer news that jostling and positioning for elective offices in 2023 have begun in earnest with various permutations and activities that go with elections.
I have seen a few write-ups mentioning my name as an aspirant for the Umuahia North State House of Assembly Constituency Seat in the 2023 elections.
My Stand.
In 2023, the State House of Assembly Seat for Umuahia North State Constituency has been unofficially ceded to the Umuhu Bloc in Ohuhu going by a gentleman agreement with our brethren of the Okaiuga Bloc with whom we share elective offices. The incumbent, Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike is from Okaiuga Bloc and having meritoriously represented us for two terms of eight years, he has indicated that he would not be seeking re-election to the same seat thus effectively giving the signal for capable aspirants from Umuhu Bloc to step up and replace him.
There is equally a strong clamour for a candidate from Isingwu Ward to emerge and run for the office as the only Ward yet to occupy the office in Umuhu Bloc.
I am from Isingwu Ward.
This evening, my long-standing friend, ally and brother, Emeka Elias sought to have a meeting with me. Emeka has been one of the earliest advocates for me to contest for the Umuahia North State House of Assembly Seat and he has not hidden his preference both in his online posts and during political conversations even when I am not present.
He had just one question for me. The stage is set. Are you ready to step forward and contest?
I had prayed about this prior to now and I gave him my answer.
I will repeat the answer here publicly for record purposes.
I have been a long-serving servant of the political structure in Abia State and the Peoples Democratic Party in my Ward and Constituency. Should I step forward to contest election, I am hard-pressed to see how I will not get the ticket to represent my party.
However, an individual by name Chris Nwa-Abia has already indicated interest to contest the same election albeit under a different party.
Chris is my elder brother.
This will place both of us, children of the same parents, on the ballot box on election day and we’ll go head to head.
Running an election opposite my brother will not bode well for the unity of our family and will leave room for agents of division, who are hovering, to take undue advantage.
I am the younger one and I have come to the painful decision that I will not be contesting election against my elder brother.
I would like to thank our party faithfuls, my leaders and political allies who have overtly and tacitly given me the nod to contest and assured me of their maximum support should I so indicate. I would like to apologize to them for this decision which may disappoint them but at the end of the day, we will retire to our usekwu which is the smallest family unit. I will like to keep my parent’s usekwu intact for the sake of posterity. I hope they will understand my reasoning.
I also took the decision to make this decision public in order to free my close friends and political associates who have been bombarded for support by other aspirants but who are holding back because of their affiliation to me and loyalty to me. I do not want to string you along and abandon you half way. It is not the type of politics I play. I am upfront and honest.
I therefore wish other contestants in my party the Peoples Democratic Party all the best as they consult and jostle for the party ticket.
I am not contesting. You do not have to worry about me.
I will be fine. Okem na Nkem anaghi akom.
God has always made a way for me and He will continue to guide me.
I send this with peace in my spirit.
Udo diri unu
Ugwu Ngwu.
