By Barr. Peter Obiora Aja (Aninri)
Spokesman, Coalition for Justice, Equity and Good Governance
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Peter Drucker
In every democratic society, elections are moments of solemn reflection. They are occasions when people pause to ask themselves a fundamental question: What kind of future do we desire, and who is best positioned to lead us towards it?
The answer to that question cannot be found in propaganda, sentiments or sectional passions. It lies in facts. It lies in performance. It lies in competence, integrity and vision.
As the good people of Aninri, Awgu and Oji River Federal Constituency prepare for another electoral cycle, one question naturally presents itself:
Should a first-term legislator who came into office late, yet has performed beyond expectations and laid a solid foundation for future development, be denied the opportunity to consolidate on his achievements?
For Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, the answer ought to be obvious.
The Coalition for Justice, Equity and Good Governance is not a political party. We are not an appendage of government. We are a socio-political organization committed to justice, equity, development and accountability in public service.
Our support for Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu is therefore not founded on blind loyalty. It is founded on verifiable evidence.
As the great American statesman, John Quincy Adams, once observed:
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
By every objective standard, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu has demonstrated leadership.
THE BAROMETER OF PERFORMANCE
Public office should be measured by clear and objective indices.
The Coalition adopts five universally accepted standards for assessing a member of the House of Representatives:
- Legislative performance.
- Constituency development.
- Human capital development.
- Accessibility and responsiveness
- Political stability, equity and continuity.
On every one of these indices, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu has not merely performed; he has excelled.
BREAKING THE FIRST-TERM JINX
History will record that Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu did not arrive at the National Assembly under ordinary circumstances.
His election was subjected to prolonged legal battles.
He assumed office much later than his contemporaries.
He was a first-time legislator.
He was not a principal officer.
Conventional wisdom would have predicted obscurity.
Yet, he defied expectations.
Within a short time, he distinguished himself as one of the most active lawmakers from Enugu State. He broke the notorious first-term jinx and rose to chair a committee of the House of Representatives, a feat many career politicians fail to achieve.
This is no small accomplishment.
Politics, especially legislative politics, rewards experience, relationships and influence. To gain relevance in such a competitive environment within a short period is evidence of uncommon political dexterity.
As Winston Churchill famously remarked:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Engr. Onwuegbu has shown that courage.
LEGISLATION THAT TOUCHES LIVES
Representation is not measured merely by occupying a seat in Abuja.
It is measured by ideas translated into policies and institutions.
Among his major legislative initiatives is the Bill for the Establishment of the Oji-Ebonyi River Basin Development Authority.
This is not an ordinary bill.
Its successful passage would revolutionize:
irrigation farming;
flood control;
water management;
agricultural productivity;
food security;
rural industrialization;
employment generation.
For a constituency blessed with fertile land and abundant water resources, this institution has the capacity to transform the economic destiny of Greater Awgu.
Equally significant is his Bill for the Establishment of a Federal Medical Centre within the constituency.
The implications are enormous.
A Federal Medical Centre means:
improved healthcare access;
reduction in mortality;
attraction of federal investment;
creation of skilled jobs;
stimulation of local businesses.
He also sponsored motions for:
completion of the Ivo Dam;
federal intervention for flood victims in Aninri;
relief materials for affected communities. He also co-sponsored many other critical bills.
Beyond motions and bills, he courageously presented a petition against the unlawful killing of a constituent by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
That singular act demonstrated that representation is not merely about projects.
It is about defending the rights, dignity and lives of the people.
As Martin Luther King Jr. aptly stated:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Engr. Onwuegbu was not silent.
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
Political rhetoric may be disputed.
Concrete projects cannot.
The record shows substantial interventions across Aninri, Awgu and Oji River.
There have been:
erosion and flood control projects;
rehabilitation of community roads;
construction of flood protection structures;
solar-powered streetlights;
solar mini-grid projects;
solar-powered boreholes;
civic centres;
medical outreaches;
hospital rehabilitation;
construction of community health facilities.
These are not theoretical promises.
They are physical realities.
In Oji River, communities have benefitted from flood control and road interventions.
At Nenwe, the solar mini-grid project at the Teaching Hospital has enhanced healthcare delivery
across the constituency, solar streetlights have improved security and encouraged commercial activities.
Water projects have eased the burden of women and children who once travelled long distances in search of potable water.
This is what representation looks like.
As Benjamin Franklin wisely observed:
“Well done is better than well said.”
INVESTING IN PEOPLE
The greatest asset of any society is not oil.
It is not roads.
It is not buildings.
It is people.
Engr. Onwuegbu appears to understand this truth.
Since assuming office, students from universities, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions have benefited from bursaries and scholarships.
Beneficiaries include:
NCE students;
undergraduates;
postgraduate diploma students;
Master’s degree candidates;
PhD students.
Several constituents have also benefited from support for international educational opportunities and professional development.
Youth empowerment programmes, entrepreneurship training, skills acquisition schemes and farmer empowerment initiatives have equally expanded opportunities for many households.
These interventions may not always make newspaper headlines.
But they shape destinies.
Nelson Mandela captured this truth beautifully:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
By investing in education and human capital, Engr. Onwuegbu is investing in the future of Greater Awgu.
ANSWERING THE CRITICS
Critics will always exist.
That is the nature of democracy.
But criticism must be anchored on facts.
If critics argue that he has not done enough, the appropriate response is simple:
Compare his performance with those who came before him in their first tenures.
Compare:
legislative activities;
constituency projects;
healthcare interventions;
educational support;
empowerment programmes;
national visibility.
Facts are stubborn things.
If critics argue that power should rotate immediately, they must also answer:
What becomes of continuity?
What becomes of ongoing projects?
What becomes of political trust?
Political agreements are not merely conveniences.
They are instruments of peace.
Breaking them recklessly breeds resentment.
Honouring them builds confidence.
Supporting Engr. Onwuegbu for a second term does not undermine equity.
It strengthens it.
Continuity today guarantees fairness tomorrow.
WHY ANINRI BENEFITS
Aninri stands to gain immensely from a second tenure of Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu.
A returning legislator enjoys:
greater seniority;
stronger committee influence;
deeper institutional relationships;
enhanced bargaining power;
increased access to federal agencies.
The National Assembly is an institution where influence accumulates over time.
Removing a performing legislator after one term is akin to abandoning a mature crop at harvest time.
A second term means:
more projects;
more appointments;
stronger advocacy;
greater visibility;
faster completion of ongoing interventions. And finally, the position will seamlessly and soon rotate to Aninri.
WHY AWGU BENEFITS
Awgu benefits from stability.
It benefits from continuity.
It benefits from respect for zoning arrangements and political understanding.
Supporting a second term ensures:
sustained development;
stronger federal presence;
expansion of infrastructure;
preservation of peace.
Political stability is itself a form of development.
WHY GREATER AWGU BENEFITS
A united constituency commands greater respect.
A divided constituency weakens itself.
Greater Awgu benefits from:
collective bargaining power;
increased federal visibility;
accelerated development;
mutual trust;
long-term stability.
The constituency wins more when united behind tested leadership than when distracted by premature political battles.
WHY ENUGU STATE BENEFITS
The benefits extend beyond the constituency.
An experienced federal legislator working harmoniously with the administration of Governor Peter Mbah creates opportunities for:
increased federal projects;
economic growth;
regional integration;
infrastructure expansion;
strategic partnerships.
Development flourishes where cooperation exists.
Conflict rarely builds.
THE SENIORITY ADVANTAGE
There is a reason why advanced democracies value legislative experience.
Senior lawmakers possess:
committee influence;
legislative expertise;
stronger networks;
negotiating power;
access to leadership;
appropriations leverage.
Nigeria is no exception.
The second term is often the period when lawmakers become most effective.
Removing a performing representative at the point where experience begins to yield maximum benefits is politically unwise and strategically costly.
As Ronald Reagan once remarked:
“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets people to do the greatest things.”
Engr. Onwuegbu has shown that capacity.
THE FUTURE DEMANDS CONTINUITY
The coming election should not be a contest of emotions.
It should be a referendum on:
performance;
competence;
equity;
continuity;
experience;
vision.
Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu came late.
He worked hard.
He delivered results.
He attracted projects.
He empowered people.
He defended constituents.
He strengthened the bonds of unity across Aninri, Awgu and Oji River.
Greater Awgu entrusted him with a mandate.
He justified that trust.
Justice demands continuity.
Equity demands fairness.
Development demands experience.
And the future demands that a performing representative be allowed to finish what he has so ably begun.
For sustained progress, expanded opportunities and a stronger voice in Abuja, the people of Greater Awgu should proudly and overwhelmingly return Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, FNSE, to the House of Representatives for a second term.
“The future depends on what you do today.”
Mahatma Gandhi
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