Imo LG poll: Why I want to be council chair –Nwokoro
By Dickson Okafor
The Coordinator of the Coalition of Local Government Aspirants Initiative of Nigeria (COLGAIN), South East Zone, Nwokoro Nnamdi China is a KOWA Party’s chairmanship candidate for Isiala Mbano Local Government Council in the September 21 local government elections in Imo State.
In this interview, he speaks on the Supreme Court’s judgement that granted autonomy to local governments, why he wants to become the Chairman of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area among others.
On September 21, the people of Imo State will go to the polls to elect a new set of leaders for local governments in the state. With the recent Supreme Court judgment that granted financial autonomy to local government councils, what are your expectations?
I commend President Bola Tinubu and the apex court for liberating Nigerians at the grassroots from political bondage through the recent judgement which granted autonomy to the 774 local governments in Nigeria. This becomes empirical because the third tier of government will be closer to the rural dwellers, and by this, they can hold chairmen and councilors accountable since local government allocations will now go directly to the councils, unlike before when it gets to them through the state government. But in Imo State, under Governor Hope Uzodimma, local government chairmen have performed creditably well with the support of the state government. Governor Uzodimma ensured that money meant for local governments gets to them and the chairmen have done wonderfully well. To continue his transformation of the state to a modern city, he has decided to conduct local government elections next month. And I’m confident that the election will be free and fair.
Are you not concerned that Governor Uzodimma may pick those he wants to become the council chairmen since council elections are known to be mere formality in Nigeria?
It won’t be so because Uzodimma believes in transparency and justice, and that is why he has remained politically relevant since 1999. I am one of his addicted followers even before I majored in politics. He will allow the election to be free and fair so that the people will elect persons of their choice. The governor may have preferred candidates and such people are those who have enviable track records and electoral values. He doesn’t impose candidates on the electorate because he works with the best brains with good track records. And this is why all of us in the race are hopeful to emerge as winners on September 21.
What gives you the confidence that you will emerge victorious under the KOWA Party, considering that you will be competing with candidates from other big parties?
I want to be the chairman of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area on the platform of KOWA Party to serve my people in a higher capacity, having served them as councilor of Aku-Amato, Amaraku Ward under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018. I chose the KOWA Party because I am the man to beat. I have enough knowledge of the challenges facing my local government council, so I will work harder towards surmounting these problems if elected. Also, my aspiration is divinely driven and that is what differentiates me from the other candidates. As it stands right now, political parties do not win elections; the pedigree of the candidate does the magic. My political trajectory is local and that is why the people of Isiala-Mbano unanimously asked me to run for the position in the coming election. My leadership journey began in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where I led several unions and associations as a unionist. With this, the youth in my electoral ward invited me and elected me as a councilor during former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration. The electorate needed the best brains and experienced young men and women as their first eleven to lead them in the third tier of government. There is a high demand for the dividends of democracy by the people at the grassroots from their elected officials, and they found me worthy to lead them. As expected, during my reign as a councilor, I empowered a good number of people in my ward, especially the youths, by paying for their SSCE external examination fees. I was the first councilor to move a motion on matters of urgent importance for the establishment of a farm settlement that would engage a good number of people as casual workers in order to reduce the unemployment figure in Isiala-Mbano LGA. So, with my performance which the people appreciated, they want me to serve them in a higher capacity as the LG chairman.
Many believe that Gov Uzodimma might have chosen his preferred candidates because council election results are decided by the governors, isn’t that a source of worry to you?
As a politician, I’m optimistic of victory. Yes, every leader has his preferred candidates in every election. That is why democracy is a game of interest, and whoever the electorate want will win. So, it is a known fact that governors and leaders of political parties have preferred candidates, not only in local government elections, but also in all elections. There is no doubt that I’m among Uzodimma’s preferred candidates in the September council poll, even though I’m in a different political party. But, such contestants must be well experienced and can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people in the rural areas. Therefore, as a team player, Governor Uzodimma believes in politics of all-inclusiveness, so I’m confident that as a performer, tested and trusted, I stand a better chance to win the chairmanship race. Don’t forget that the governor has been my political mentor since 1999 and a visionary leader who has remained a source of inspiration to me in my political journey so far. However, under free and fair elections, I will emerge victorious because my people are solidly behind me.
Mixed reactions have trailed the proposed local government electoral commission creation bill believed to enhance power devolution to the grassroots if passed into law, what is your take?
I commended President Tinubu and the Supreme Court for granting financial autonomy to local governments in the country. Yes, power devolution to the grassroots is the prayer of every well-meaning Nigerian. It will slowly and steadily evolve because of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court that set the process in motion by granting financial autonomy to the local government administration in the country. The National Assembly has taken steps further by proposing a bill seeking to establish a Local Government Independent Electoral Commission to take charge of the conduct of council elections. So, let’s wait for the outcome of the bill. If it is passed into law, the third tier of government will assume full executive powers as it has become autonomous and will guarantee independence of the local governments in Nigeria. However, if I’m elected the chairman of Isiala-Mbano LGA, I will ensure that the federal allocation gets to the council and properly utilized. The funds will be used to renovate and equip schools to guarantee an enabling and conducive atmosphere for pupils and students to learn. As I speak with you, some of our health centres are shadows of themselves. I will refurbish and upgrade them to standard modern healthcare centres. On roads, Governor Uzodimma has completed most of the gigantic projects, including massive infrastructural development, especially some roads in Isiala-Mbano. I will complement it and by doing so, I will attract more projects to my council.
As the Coordinator of COLGAIN in the South-East, what impact has the coalition made to ensure that the primaries and council elections are free and fair?
COLGAIN is formed to coordinate and ensure that local government elections are free and fair and proper governance takes place in the rural areas because the third tier of government is closer to people than the other tires of government. It is an umbrella body for dialogue, negotiation, alignment and realignment of the grassroots politicians, aspirants and candidates. So, we have helped some of our members to emerge victorious in elections. Even after winning an election, we are still members of COLGAIN because after three years, you will become an aspirant or candidate to seek reelection. However, the South-East zone has been consistent and cooperative in the promotion of the tenet of democracy and that of the coalition through embracing and promoting of democratic rules while aspiring for the positions of Chairman or councilor. After the birth of COLGAIN, you hardly hear of electoral violence during council polls across the country. Meanwhile, so far, Charles Ejiogu, the Chairman of Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has been transparent in all elections. It is one of the good choices by Gov Uzodimma in the conduct of elections in the state. The Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe is also working hard to ensure that the September 21 local government election is successful.
