2015: Federal lawmakers that may not return In continuation of our focus on the National Assembly and x-ray on federal lawmakers whose return to the National Assembly hangs in the balance, THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN and CHRIS NJOKU highlight Delta and Imo states’ representatives who may not make it back to the legislature in 2015. Many of the federal lawmakers whose return to the National Assembly is in doubt are majorly seeking for higher political office, but a few others are either disqualified courtesy of the zoning arrangement in place as a result of the homogeneity of the Nigerian nation, while a few others will not make it for lacklustre performance while their tenures lasted. Delta State The three senators from Delta State are said not to be making a return to the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Likewise three members of the House of Representatives. James Manager Top on the list of lawmakers from Delta State whose seats are in danger is Senator Manager, a onetime Commissioner for Sports and Works in the state, Representing Delta South senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Manager is a third term member at the Senate having replaced Senator Stella Omu in 2003. A close political ally of Manager disclosed that, he was still keen in retaining the seat he has been occupying since 2003 while another source disagreed, saying that he is eyeing to succeed Uduaghan. It is no more news that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan from Delta South is also interested in the said seat. Although, Uduaghan is yet to make his interest public, his body languages and actions points he will run. If this be the case, Senator Manager would face stiff rivalry from Uduaghan, an Itsekiri, while the former is from the Ijaw axis. The Itsekiris argued that it is their turn to produce the next senator going by a gentleman agreement that has been existing in the area. Uduaghan’s kitchen cabinet member who spoke on the condition of anonymity claimed that Uduaghan’s ambition is sure and there was no going back. He disclosed further that the instruments for winning any election are in the hands of the governor, who is also the party political leader in the state. It was on this foregoing that it is believed that uduaghan’s chances are brighter than that of the serving senator who is also alleged to be interested in running for the fourth time. There is no gainsaying that the governor was instrumental to Manager’s victory in the 2011 election. It was also learnt that Uduaghan has prepared a good offer for Manager to trade him off for a soft landing, as he also faces stiff competition from his kinsmen who are already mobilising against Uduaghan candidacy. If the existing, ‘gentleman agreement’ is not respected in this case, PDP primary in Delta South is one to watch out for. Ifeanyi Okowa Senator Okowa, a medical doctor turned politician, was onetime governorship aspirant in the state. In 2007, he was the first runner up to Governor Uduaghan in the PDP governorship primaries held at Ogwashi- Uku Stadium. Since then, Okowa’s political conclave has soared to another height in the state. Like his friend, Uduaghan, he was also at a time Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and commissioner for various ministries before going to Senate in 2011. He has not formally declared to run for governor, but he has been engrossed in serious political consultations with political leaders in the state. Political analysts in the state don’t see him succeeding Uduaghan. It was gathered that the state PDP chairman, Chief Peter Nwabushi, was already warming up to replace Okowa in 2015. Chief Daniel Okoro, a political follower in the state posited that if followership was meant to be the rules of the game, Okowa will outclass other aspirants, but he averred that the question of loyalty has become a major issue in the political circle. He has been at various times accused of flounting party decision and authority at all levels. It was learnt that his chances to replace Uduaghan were slim as other contenders from the senatorial district are backing on presidential favour. Okowa will face other aspirants like, Chief Ngozi Olejeme, disposed speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Engr. Victor Ochei, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairsr, Chief Godswill Orubebe; Uduaghan’s right hand man, Chief Festus Okubor among other front runners under the PDP platform. Emmanuel Agwariavwodo Not much has been heard of the man, who succeeded late Senator Pius Ewherido since October, 2013. Senator Agwariavwodo is comparatively opposite the vocal late senator, who represented the Urhobos at the National Assembly. Although, he is not a first timer at the National Assembly, having been House of Representatives member in 1999 until his appointment by former President Obasanjo as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The by-election that brought him to the Senate was alleged to have been marred by irregularities among other allegations. It was gathered that before being thrown up as the PDP candidate during the senatorial by-election an accord was reached. An insider who participated in the unwritten deal disclosed that, it was agreed that somebody from the Ughelli axis should complete the remaining tenure of late Ewherido. The source added further that any attempt for him to seek a fresh tenure will be resisted by the people of Ethiope federal constituency that have not produced a senator. However, it was learnt that if Agwariavwodo uses his high connection to get the PDP ticket in 2015, other constituencies will resist him by voting another candidate from other party. Mr. Efemena Agwiri, a political scientist told National Mirror that the former NDDC helmsman has not attempted fulfilling senatorial promises and the people have lost touch with him, adding that the senator does not enjoy the support of the grassroots people in Delta Central. He said: “The new senator have not given a speech or supported a motion on the floor of the Senate since he was elected. It is unlike the Urhobos who are known for being vocal. I fear for him, even if PDP gives him the ticket. Despite being elected a senator, he lacks the needed popularity and acceptance by the people. There are also reports that he is also been propelled to run for the governorship seat in Delta State. Efforts to reach his aides to confirm his gubernatorial interest were unsuccessful. His chances are on the balance though. Daniel Oritsegbubemi Reyenieju Reyenieju represents Warri federal constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Sources have it that he would be a trade-off for Governor Uduaghan’s senatorial ambition to pacify the Ijaws of Warri to give him soft landing. They pointed out that the seat will be zoned to the people of former warlord, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo. Reyemeju is from the Itsekiri stock and a second timer in the House of Representatives. He is an Uduaghan loyalist. However, it is unclear if he would seek re-election. Leonard Okuweh Ogor Ogor is the current Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and one of the political gladiators from the Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta State. Having served three terms flying the flag of the PDP, come 2015, Isoko groups said they want a better representation. His sins are uneven distribution of constituency projects among the communities, lack of respect for party leaders, amongst others. The electorate are saying that having spent over ten years, another Isoko son should be given the chance to represent them. A close family source affirmed that he will still put his popularity to test. It is a known fact that Ogor is one of the lawmakers playing President Goodluck Jonathan’s cards in the House and he is known to be very loyal to the party at the national level. It was on this basis that some are confident that he would be returned for the fourth time using his influence and contacts at the national level. He would have Isoko-born literary icon and a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, to contend with. Ndidi Elumelu It is only doubting Thomases that will believe that Elumelu would return to the National Assembly. He is one of the early contenders who publicly make their intention to occupy the Chief Osadebe Government House in Asaba Public. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2007 to represent the Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency. Prior to his election, Hon Elumelu had tried his luck first in 2003, but some high wire political intrigues had not only pitched him against the then governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori but had equally caused him to lose to Hon. Pascal Adigwe. He is a known figure in the then Godswill Obielum political structure that almost wrestled power from former Governor Ibori’s political dynasty. Hon. Elumelu is presently consulting with traditional rulers and major political actors in the state on his gubernatorial ambition in the state. He prized himself as one of the most qualified to take over from Governor Udaughan. He is believed to have the presidential backing to run. Imo State One senator and four members of the House of Representatives may not return to the National Assembly in 2015 for various reasons. Chris Anyanwu The senator who has represented Owerri zone for two consecutive terms is not returning to Senate again. All her ambition now is to govern Imo State. She is one of the most controversial and charismatic senators in the National Assembly and who also chairs Senate Committee on Defence. She recently dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for the PDP after her celebrated faceoff with the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, a defection that seems to attract a lot of comments from Imo people. Senator Anyanwu, by virtue of her exposure, though a woman, has all it takes to be governor of Imo State. The only odd that may militate against her chances is her going back to the PDP where there are other top contenders. Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso Hon. Alagbaoso leads the pack of lawmakers whose return to the National assembly is in hgih doubt. Popularly known as Asiwaju, Alagbaoso was elected into the lower chamber of the National Assembly in 2011 under the PDP banner. It was a difficult task for Alagbaoso to grab the PDP ticket before he bulldosed his way to emerge victorious at the polls. Having tested the power, Alagbaoso is rumoured to be nursing a second term bid. His body language, statements and eventful sojourn at the lower chamber of the National Assembly suggests that he wants a return ticket in 2015. However, it may not be a smooth sail for Alagbaoso to grab the ticket again, considering several factors inherent in Orsu, Orlu and Oru East politics. There are grudges against him for limiting his empowerment and spoil of office only to associates and political family, forgetting the entire electorate who voted him into office. He has been accused of ignoring the entire PDP executives except local government and ward chairmen who he honours regularly. The people are disturbed that he touched life during his time as a Customs officer than now that he has the elective mandate to serve his people. In view of the changing political climate in the state, those opposed to his second tenure will also pose a threat to his 2015 ambition. Emeka Ihedioha Ihedioha, a three term member of House of Representatives, representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency, is the Deputy Speaker of the House. Ihedioha appears to be an enigma that one could not easily understand. His prospects and ambition come 2015 until a few days ago was kept under wraps leaving his followers to guess his next move come 2015, with some believing that he wants to return to the House, while others believe that he wanted to contest for the governorship position in 2015. But just a few days ago, the loyal deputy to Aminu Tambuwal, declared his ambition to rule Imo State, thus exempting him from the green chambers come 2015. Bethel Amadi No one seems to understand the real intensions of Amadi, who represents Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency in the House of Representatives, but one thing remains certain, Hon Amadi will not be coming back to House in 2015. The people of Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency have at different times been lamenting over his cold attitude to issues and his inability to arrange for constituency briefing for them. But whichever way the pendulum will swing, Amadi is one aspirant that cannot be ignored as far as 2015 governorship is concerned. Gerald Irona Hon. Ironna, the member representing Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West federal constituency was threatened recently by stakeholders of the area who gave him 30 days to render a comprehensive account of his stewardship or face recall. Ironna, elected under the platform of the PDP was asked by the leadership forum of his constituency at a meeting held at the Newton Hotel, Owerri recently to justify why he should be the representative of the federal constituency till 2015. According to the resolution endorsed by the leaders, the federal constituency observed that Ironna has not been forthcoming with respect to effective representation in the House of Representatives. The forum averred that Hon Ironna has neither moved any motion nor sponsored any bill in the House of Representatives to promote and protect the interest of the federal constituency since his election and inauguration in June 2011. Some stakeholders believe that the assessment of his performance may play a big role in 2015. By the foregoing, his return to the green chamber of the National Assembly could as well be described as a pipedream.
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 12:07:40 +0000
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