Politics is the art of allocating the available valuable scarce resources
\nto various entities of the society. These resources are either shared
\nco-operatively to even development or the citizens\u2019 fight over them and
\nengender underdevelopment. The corporate wealth of any nation is managed
\nby elected members of the society through representative politics in a
\ntransparent democratic electoral process.<\/p>\n
Fair minded persons with the drive, capacity, trust, transparency,
\ndependability and with zeal to bring about positive change and happiness
\nto the greater number of the people are chosen. The elected people in real
\nsense should be change initiators and should put in place transformational
\npolicies and programmes to put the society on the pedestal of
\ninfrastructural development and socio-economic revolution.<\/p>\n
In Imo State, over the years, politicians with selfish inclinations and
\nimpunity appropriate the corporate wealth of the state as their private
\nproperty.<\/p>\n
No wonder then, the emergence of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma into
\nthe upper chamber of the national assembly has redefined the paradigm for
\npoliticians and political representatives in the state to emulate.<\/p>\n
His political philosophy of liberal and philanthropic gestures hinged on
\nperformance and delivery is humanitarian and welcomed. He is a man you can
\ntrust. This singular attitude has changed the face of Imo politics and put
\nsmiles on so many faces in Imo West Senatorial zone and beyond.<\/p>\n
Uzodimma, during his 2011 electioneering told the electorate of Imo West
\nSenatorial District that their vote for him will translate to massive
\nhuman and infrastructural development and recognition of the zone
\nnationally; a situation he said they had lacked over the years. Then, the
\npolitical charlatans and buccaneers whose interest center only on their
\nstomach, did not take him seriously.\u00a0 Today, it is interesting to know
\nthat\u00a0 Uzodimma as a serious minded senator who knows\u00a0 the reason he was
\ncalled, raised four bills at the national assembly; a rare feat especially
\nas a first time senator.<\/p>\n
Indeed among the contributions that ushered in change in Nigerian politics
\nthrough him are inter-alia; his motion declaring the south east region
\necological disaster area due mainly to the erosion menace in the region.
\nSimilarly, the unemployment challenges that nearly would have brought the
\nrunning of this great nation to a halt with its negative impact on the
\nNigeria socio- political and economic growth due mainly to long neglect,
\nwas brought to the fore.
\nFederal government reacted to this quality contribution and swiftly
\ncreated the YOUwin programme to generate employment for the youths and
\nreduce restiveness in the country. These quality proposals should not have
\ncome from an unserious, greedy, selfish and retrogressive person.<\/p>\n
Senator Uzodimma has attracted so many roads and electricity projects to
\nImo West District in his first term in office. Several of these projects
\nhave been commissioned in the entire zone.<\/p>\n
No doubt, his December 2013 empowerment programme will ever remain
\nmemorable in the state and beyond as thousands of party faithful converged
\non his Omuma country home and smiled home with various gift items ranging
\nfrom cars to sewing machines for macro business start ups.<\/p>\n
It is no longer news that Uzodimma has provided employment opportunity to
\nseveral indigenes of Imo West Senatorial District. His philanthropy is
\nfurther seen in his capacity at receiving all classes of visitors in his
\ncountry home-Omuma\u00a0 and in Abuja where he extends financial and other
\nforms of assistance to them.<\/p>\n
At the national level, he is a bridge builder and a rising political
\ncolossus. It is for this reason that prior to the 2015 Presidential and
\nNational Assembly Elections, various groups routed for his election and
\nasked other contestants to bury their ambition.<\/p>\n
Strident in the calls was the Orlu Zone Elders Council (OZEC)\u00a0 in Imo
\nState which asked other\u00a0 candidates contesting for the Senate position in
\nthe zone to bury their ambition and instead join hands in ensuring the
\nre-election of Uzodimma.<\/p>\n
In a resolution it\u00a0 passed after a meeting in Ubulu, Oru West LGA of Imo
\nstate, on February 13, 2015,the elders an elite association of elders and
\nelder statesmen from the 12 local governments that make up Orlu zone said
\ntheir decision to call on the other aspirants to step down for Uzodinma
\nwas a product of a \u201ccareful and clinical examination of all the contenders
\nfrom Imo West (Orlu Zone) senatorial seat\u201d which led to their inevitable
\nconclusion that Senator Hope Uzodinma is the best candidate among all of
\nthem.\u201d
\nAccording to the group, the Uzodimma had done exceedingly well as the
\nSenator representing Imo West (Orlu Zone) Senatorial District in the
\nNational Assembly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has made Orlu people proud in his first tenure, through his brilliant
\ncontributions on the floor of the senate and the quality motions and bills
\nhe has sponsored, all of which have helped to position Orlu zone at the
\ncenter stage of National Politics\u201d the elders declared.<\/p>\n
Noting that as chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Uzodinma has
\ndistinguished himself as a great and visionary leader. The elders\u2019 council
\nnoted that the enduring evidence of its assertion was to be seen in the
\nre-modeled Nigerian airports, including Sam Mbakwe International Cargo
\nAirport, Owerri and the Akanulbiam International Airport, Enugu, all of
\nwhich happen under Uzodinma\u2019s watch.<\/p>\n
According to the Elder statesmen, the senator has also attracted so many
\nprojects to Orlu zone, including roads, electricity, water as well as the
\nempowerment of thousands of women and youths through skill acquisition
\nprogramme and gainful employment for many Orlu sons and daughters.<\/p>\n
They said they were excited that as member of the Senate Ad-hoc committees
\non constitution Review, the senator played a major role in positioning the
\nproposed Anim State as the prime choice for the South \u2013 East equalization
\nstate and that as such Uzodimma is better placed to successfully conclude
\nthe state creation project.<\/p>\n
While enjoining all Orlu people to come out and vote massively for
\nUzodimma, the Elders council declared: \u201cConsequently Council requests all
\nwell meaning indigenes of Orlu zone which is inclusive of candidates for
\nthe same position from other political parties, to join hands and together
\nactualize the dream of re-electing our son and brother, Sen. Hope Uzodimma
\nfor a second term\u201d<\/p>\n
Though some of the candidates did not heed the advice of the Elders
\nCouncil, Sentor Uzodimma emerged victoriously at the election. And excited
\nwith his victory; OZEC recently congratulated the Senator for the feat.<\/p>\n
In a congratulatory letter to the Senator signed by its Chairman,Chief
\nP.C. Mgbenwelu, Secretary, Dr. Vitalis C. Nwulu and other prominent
\nmembers of the Council,OZEC also commended the people of Imo West
\nSenatorial Zone for the overwhelming support they gave to Uzodimma.<\/p>\n
Part of the letter reads: \u201cThe leadership and membership of Orlu Zone
\nElders Council (OZEC), the apex socio-cultural organization that unites
\nthe 12 Local Government Areas that make up the Imo West Senatorial
\nDistrict (Orlu Zone) hereby express our unequivocal gratitude to the
\npeople of the zone especially the electorate for the overwhelming support
\nmanifested in the just concluded National Assembly Elections by which the
\nmandate of our illustrious son, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodima, was
\nrenewed for a second tenure in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOZEC clearly appreciates the good people of Orlu Zone for choosing
\nquality, proven track record, performance and effective representation
\nwhich Senator Hope Uzodimma symbolizes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe OZEC also expresses it hearty congratulations to Senator Hope
\nUzodimma for winning the confidence of the electorate of Orlu Zone, and
\nfully expresses the convictions of the people of the zone that the
\nDistinguished Senator\u2019s second tenure in the senate will be more
\npurposeful and result-oriented.<\/p>\n
\u201cOZEC therefore urges Senator Hope Hope Uzodimma to remain steadfast in
\nhis representation and assures him that the people of the Zone are totally
\nbehind him at all times and in all circumstances to sustain the effective
\npresence of Orlu Zone in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria\u201d.<\/p>\n
Probably because of the rising profile of the Senator and his general
\nacceptance, some people who are\u00a0 not comfortable with these have resorted
\nto blackmail and character assassination to run down Uzodimma as evidenced
\nin recent media reports of his alleged arrest with\u00a0 his family members
\nover alleged\u00a0 electoral malpractices. This was later found to be a
\ncampaign of calumny and hate by those opposed to the rising profile of the
\nSenator as no such arrest was made. The Imo State Police Command through
\nits Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Andrew
\nEnwerem said neither Uzodimma nor his family member was arrested for any
\nelectoral malpractice.
\n\u00b7\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Nwagabara is an\u00a0 Owerri-based Political Commentator<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019 fight…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n