In his heartbreaking analysis, Sir Simon Martins Okechukwu has highlighted a deep-rooted sense of injustice and marginalization within the Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency. Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, Uzo-Uwani has faced an overwhelming imbalance in representation, with Igbo-Etiti dominating the House of Representatives seat for 21 out of 25 years. As the 2027 elections approach, Okechukwu calls for a united front to rectify this longstanding inequity and ensure fair representation for Uzo-Uwani.
ATTENTION FOR IGBO-ETITI/UZO-UWANI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY AND TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Permit me my elderstatemen and women, respected brothers and sisters of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area to address you through this medium with regards to the seat of House of Representatives between Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency, and the injustice and inequality against Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area on the seat of our Federal Constituency.
I wish to state that since the return of this present democratic rule in 1999, it would appear that we have failed to put our house in order in the choice of some of those who represented, and our present Representative in the governance at the National Assembly, Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency in focus.
It is more apparent, with specific reference to our Federal Constituency which we jointly share with Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, known as Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency.
Firstly, Dr Romanus Ezike was to be our first Representatives in the National Assembly for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency in 1999 haven won the elections, fair and square. But Hon Chris Nnadi of Ekwegbe in Igbo-Etiti through the Court upturned the result and went to the House of Representatives, and represented us between 1999-2003, one term only.
Secondly, Between 2003-2007, Dr Martins Oke from Aku, also from Igbo-Etiti was elected and represented us for one term of four years only too.
Thirdly, in 2007-2011, our late brother, Chief Hon.Arc. Paul Okwudili Eze (Okpaogwu N'Nkpologu then took the next shot and represented us, the only opportunity Uzo-Uwani was given, for one term of four years only.
Fourthly and fifth time, in 2011, Igbo-Etiti then returned to the House of Representatives again through Princess Stella Ngwu from Ukehe, where she served between 2011 to 2019, a period of two terms of 8 years.
On the sixth and seventh time, Hon. Dr Martins Oke of Aku in Igbo-Etiti immediately again took the baton from her and replaced her in the green Chambers, from 2019 till date with the termination of office due in June 2023, two terms of 8 years in addition to his previous 4years.
Following above analysis, my respected elderstatemen, in June 2023, was 25 years, and Igbo-Etiti had taken 6 terms of 21 years while our Local Government, Uzo-Uwani is left with only one term of 4 years of representation by late Chief Paul Okwudili Eze.
My brothers and sisters, as if to add salt to injury, our Party, PDP in Enugu State did not deem it appropriate to address the apparent injustice, inequity, unfairnessless, and marginalisation of Uzo-Uwani for the Federal Constituency Seat of Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani.
Rather, PDP decided to perpetuate above vices with impunity, disregard and the highest display of insensitivity by returning the House of Representatives ticket to Hon. Dr Martins Okeh for a third term in the Green Chambers, at the expense and to the detriment of the entire good people of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area.
My very respected brothers and sisters of our dear Uzo-Uwani, my question goes thus:
For how long shall we continue to groan under this suppression, humiliation, and slavery to Igbo-Etiti like hopeless people and yet refuse to do something about it?
Let it be on record that once upon a time, Adada Zone was treated as asuch in Uzo-Uwani Local Government for Chairmanship Seat since 1999. We thank two of our brothers, Chief Dr. Cornell Onwubuya and Chief Dr. Matthew Anenechukwu Idu, and His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for allowing themselves to be used by the Almighty God and corrected the unfairness and injustice against our people by nominating our sons of Adada Zone for both the Party (PDP) Chairman, and the Chairmanship Candidate for our great party PDP for the forthcoming local government elections.
It is my prayer that we shall once again take this kind of resolution with His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and replicate same to the Federal Constituency Seat of Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency come 2027. We shall at the same time come together and tell ourselves the truth on which zone of Uzo-Uwani should go and represents us by 2027.
I Remain,
Sir Simon Martins Okechukwu,
(08034552332)
Ichie Onye Kwe Chiya Kwe of Nkpologu-Attah.
Uzo-Uwani LGA.
