Politics is the art of allocating the available valuable scarce resources
to various entities of the society. These resources are either shared
co-operatively to even development or the citizens’ fight over them and
engender underdevelopment. The corporate wealth of any nation is managed
by elected members of the society through representative politics in a
transparent democratic electoral process.
Fair minded persons with the drive, capacity, trust, transparency,
dependability and with zeal to bring about positive change and happiness
to the greater number of the people are chosen. The elected people in real
sense should be change initiators and should put in place transformational
policies and programmes to put the society on the pedestal of
infrastructural development and socio-economic revolution.
In Imo State, over the years, politicians with selfish inclinations and
impunity appropriate the corporate wealth of the state as their private
property.
No wonder then, the emergence of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma into
the upper chamber of the national assembly has redefined the paradigm for
politicians and political representatives in the state to emulate.
His political philosophy of liberal and philanthropic gestures hinged on
performance and delivery is humanitarian and welcomed. He is a man you can
trust. This singular attitude has changed the face of Imo politics and put
smiles on so many faces in Imo West Senatorial zone and beyond.
Uzodimma, during his 2011 electioneering told the electorate of Imo West
Senatorial District that their vote for him will translate to massive
human and infrastructural development and recognition of the zone
nationally; a situation he said they had lacked over the years. Then, the
political charlatans and buccaneers whose interest center only on their
stomach, did not take him seriously. Today, it is interesting to know
that Uzodimma as a serious minded senator who knows the reason he was
called, raised four bills at the national assembly; a rare feat especially
as a first time senator.
Indeed among the contributions that ushered in change in Nigerian politics
through him are inter-alia; his motion declaring the south east region
ecological disaster area due mainly to the erosion menace in the region.
Similarly, the unemployment challenges that nearly would have brought the
running of this great nation to a halt with its negative impact on the
Nigeria socio- political and economic growth due mainly to long neglect,
was brought to the fore.
Federal government reacted to this quality contribution and swiftly
created the YOUwin programme to generate employment for the youths and
reduce restiveness in the country. These quality proposals should not have
come from an unserious, greedy, selfish and retrogressive person.
Senator Uzodimma has attracted so many roads and electricity projects to
Imo West District in his first term in office. Several of these projects
have been commissioned in the entire zone.
No doubt, his December 2013 empowerment programme will ever remain
memorable in the state and beyond as thousands of party faithful converged
on his Omuma country home and smiled home with various gift items ranging
from cars to sewing machines for macro business start ups.
It is no longer news that Uzodimma has provided employment opportunity to
several indigenes of Imo West Senatorial District. His philanthropy is
further seen in his capacity at receiving all classes of visitors in his
country home-Omuma and in Abuja where he extends financial and other
forms of assistance to them.
At the national level, he is a bridge builder and a rising political
colossus. It is for this reason that prior to the 2015 Presidential and
National Assembly Elections, various groups routed for his election and
asked other contestants to bury their ambition.
Strident in the calls was the Orlu Zone Elders Council (OZEC) in Imo
State which asked other candidates contesting for the Senate position in
the zone to bury their ambition and instead join hands in ensuring the
re-election of Uzodimma.
In a resolution it passed after a meeting in Ubulu, Oru West LGA of Imo
state, on February 13, 2015,the elders an elite association of elders and
elder statesmen from the 12 local governments that make up Orlu zone said
their decision to call on the other aspirants to step down for Uzodinma
was a product of a “careful and clinical examination of all the contenders
from Imo West (Orlu Zone) senatorial seat” which led to their inevitable
conclusion that Senator Hope Uzodinma is the best candidate among all of
them.”
According to the group, the Uzodimma had done exceedingly well as the
Senator representing Imo West (Orlu Zone) Senatorial District in the
National Assembly.
“He has made Orlu people proud in his first tenure, through his brilliant
contributions on the floor of the senate and the quality motions and bills
he has sponsored, all of which have helped to position Orlu zone at the
center stage of National Politics” the elders declared.
Noting that as chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Uzodinma has
distinguished himself as a great and visionary leader. The elders’ council
noted that the enduring evidence of its assertion was to be seen in the
re-modeled Nigerian airports, including Sam Mbakwe International Cargo
Airport, Owerri and the Akanulbiam International Airport, Enugu, all of
which happen under Uzodinma’s watch.
According to the Elder statesmen, the senator has also attracted so many
projects to Orlu zone, including roads, electricity, water as well as the
empowerment of thousands of women and youths through skill acquisition
programme and gainful employment for many Orlu sons and daughters.
They said they were excited that as member of the Senate Ad-hoc committees
on constitution Review, the senator played a major role in positioning the
proposed Anim State as the prime choice for the South – East equalization
state and that as such Uzodimma is better placed to successfully conclude
the state creation project.
While enjoining all Orlu people to come out and vote massively for
Uzodimma, the Elders council declared: “Consequently Council requests all
well meaning indigenes of Orlu zone which is inclusive of candidates for
the same position from other political parties, to join hands and together
actualize the dream of re-electing our son and brother, Sen. Hope Uzodimma
for a second term”
Though some of the candidates did not heed the advice of the Elders
Council, Sentor Uzodimma emerged victoriously at the election. And excited
with his victory; OZEC recently congratulated the Senator for the feat.
In a congratulatory letter to the Senator signed by its Chairman,Chief
P.C. Mgbenwelu, Secretary, Dr. Vitalis C. Nwulu and other prominent
members of the Council,OZEC also commended the people of Imo West
Senatorial Zone for the overwhelming support they gave to Uzodimma.
Part of the letter reads: “The leadership and membership of Orlu Zone
Elders Council (OZEC), the apex socio-cultural organization that unites
the 12 Local Government Areas that make up the Imo West Senatorial
District (Orlu Zone) hereby express our unequivocal gratitude to the
people of the zone especially the electorate for the overwhelming support
manifested in the just concluded National Assembly Elections by which the
mandate of our illustrious son, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodima, was
renewed for a second tenure in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.
“OZEC clearly appreciates the good people of Orlu Zone for choosing
quality, proven track record, performance and effective representation
which Senator Hope Uzodimma symbolizes.
“The OZEC also expresses it hearty congratulations to Senator Hope
Uzodimma for winning the confidence of the electorate of Orlu Zone, and
fully expresses the convictions of the people of the zone that the
Distinguished Senator’s second tenure in the senate will be more
purposeful and result-oriented.
“OZEC therefore urges Senator Hope Hope Uzodimma to remain steadfast in
his representation and assures him that the people of the Zone are totally
behind him at all times and in all circumstances to sustain the effective
presence of Orlu Zone in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Probably because of the rising profile of the Senator and his general
acceptance, some people who are not comfortable with these have resorted
to blackmail and character assassination to run down Uzodimma as evidenced
in recent media reports of his alleged arrest with his family members
over alleged electoral malpractices. This was later found to be a
campaign of calumny and hate by those opposed to the rising profile of the
Senator as no such arrest was made. The Imo State Police Command through
its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Andrew
Enwerem said neither Uzodimma nor his family member was arrested for any
electoral malpractice.
· Nwagabara is an Owerri-based Political Commentator