Chief Frank Ibezim was the commissioner of agriculture in the Governor Rochas Okorocha administration in Imo State. He was on the verge of revamping the abandoned Imo Poultry in Avutu before his redeployment and subsequent exit from the government. Though grieved that the remarkable gains recorded during his tenure as commissioner have been wasted by that administration, that is not among Ibezim’s worries right now. His major headache and preoccupation is to see that the south east produces the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives which will soon be inaugurated in Abuja . He told Tony Iwuoma that failing to do so would mean a total eclipse of the region in national affairs.
Why do you think the south east should produce the Speaker?
It’s only natural for all true Nigerians to clamour for the south east to produce the next Speaker of the incoming 9th House of Representatives in the spirit of equity, fairness and natural justice. Presently, Mr. President is from the north west; the vice president is from the south west; north east is jostling to produce the senate president with south south settling for the deputy senate president with the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, already in their kitty. The Speaker should naturally come to the south east while the deputy speaker should reside with the north central.
What’s the implication of the south east failing to clinch the position?
This is not worth imagining. The south east is more than justified in its demand. Honestly, anything short of this amounts to total political annihilation of the region. It means that the south east is completely excluded from the leadership of the three arms of government.
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Assuming the APC agrees to accede to the clamour and cedes the Speaker’s position to the south east, does the region have a candidate that can fit the bill?
Of course, the region has what it takes to fill the position. Of all the candidates running for the Speakership of the 9th Assembly, even from other areas, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, HCN, stands out as the most politically experienced, having been elected to serve in the House in 1997 and 1999. He made an unsuccessful shot at the governorship of Imo State in 2011 as a Buharist. He also served as the secretary of the merger that produced APC in 2015, which led to the Buhari presidency. Apart from that, HCN, who has a PhD in Law, is savvy and a good strategist. He has groundswell support base across regions of the country where he has been able to develop an uncanny network of friends across party lines.
By the way, what’s your expectation of the 9th NASS?
My expectation will solely depend on the quality of the leadership that will emerge in the 9th Assembly. A House of Representatives under Nwajiuba will be robust, proactive and pro-masses. This means expediting passage of bills that will make huge positive impact on the people. It will mean the end of budget padding and fairness in sharing committee leadership among members. It will ensure little or no legislature-executive feuds because when a knowledgeable personality like Nwajiuba presides over the House, there is no doubt that he can secure greater understanding among both arms of government. Of course, this begins with a closer and harmonious relationship among members of the House irrespective of party affiliations, and with the senate. When both chambers of the NASS work in tandem with each other, it will certainly transcend to the executive. This will ensure speedy passage of bills and executive assent unlike when both chambers are at war with each other or the executive.
But don’t you think that Nwajiuba’s political party may work against him?
How, which one is his political party?
Accord Party; how is it possible when he represents a very minor party?
Point of correction, he does not belong to Accord Party, as being insinuated. No, Not at all. Even during campaigns when he was flying the Accord Party ticket, he never denied his root. Nwajiuba is APC to the core and everybody knows it. It was only in a bid to beat the landmines laid by former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha that led to his association with Accord Party under special arrangements. Okorocha insisted on foisting all manner of cronies upon the people, which was stoutly resisted.
In Nwajiuba’s case, the governor insisted that the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Chike Okafor, must return to the House against existing tradition in Okigwe South Federal Constituency where the representation alternates among the three component local governments, Ehime Mbano, Ihitte Uboma and Etiti. The matter got so intense and when Okorocha and his cohorts contrived a scheme that was inimical to the yearning of the people, Nwajiuba saw the handwriting on the wall and reached an understanding with Accord Party to fly their flag.
He never left APC. It was only a marriage of convenience for which one is very grateful because just as he feared, judging by how the governor and is gang were running the Imo APC, the courts eventually cancelled the candidature of Okafor even after they had successfully manipulated the elections to declare him winner. But God is ever alive. Nwajiuba got his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, through the court, which threw Okafor out. In fact, Nwajiuba’s emergence is seen as a divine intervention and a lesson to those who rely on godfathers. It equally made it clear that those who trust so much in the transient of power are not wise. So, anybody saying Nwajiuba is not an APC member is either being mischievous or economical with the truth.
His campaign for Speakership is woven around the elegantly crafted slogan, “APC with One Accord,” which has won the admiration of most of the members-elect. Its creativity has drawn so much attention and boosted the immense goodwill, which Nwajiuba already enjoys across party lines and across regions. The Accord Party is being thrown into the fray by jittery opposition, who feel threatened by his wide acceptance. He is seen as the game changer.
Both returnee lawmakers and fresh ones are sold on the Nwajiuba project. He is tested and is a man of integrity without any taint of scandal. Is it not what the Buhari administration is about? Integrity and anti-corruption, which are the major planks of this government, mean fairness, equity and justice. So, I ask all men with conscience to tell the world how fair and just it is to additionally give the Speaker of the House to the south west, which already has the vice president whereas the south east is left with nothing. Where is the fear of God?
What does APC really mean by the promised ‘Next Level’; next level of what?
I suppose Next Level means making Nigeria a more prosperous nation devoid of rancour and anarchy. Whether APC can take Nigeria to the Next Level will depend on how they resolve the issue of the leadership of the 9th Assembly. Time will tell.
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What do you think that the Igbo must do to take their pride of place in Nigeria’s affairs?
Ndigbo should continue to be team players in all spheres of national development. We should show leadership/followership skills at every opportunity and avoid Pull Him Down syndrome amongst us.
What should Nigerians expect from the new APC government?
Nigerians should expect the next level of development. Now that TSA has been successfully introduced and food production is on the increase, there’s need for the Federal Government to encourage related industries to spring up, while fighting corruption fiercely within the three arms of government. This will trickle down to the entire nation, reducing kidnapping, armed banditry and insurgency.
Do you think your home state, Imo will rise again?
Imo will always have great potentials. Governor Emeka Ihedioha has what it takes and he has started very well. I have no doubt that Imo must be better. This should truly be our prayer.
What’s your greatest wish for the president as he embarks on his second term of office?
My prayer is for Buhari to continue to enjoy good health; to decisively fight corruption while sourcing for the best option to grow our economy.
