A few days from today, the people of Idemili North and South Federal Constituency will go to the polls to elect a new representative. One thing that will not be lost on them is the need to effect a change. This has become necessary, because of the dwindling quality of representation, which the constituency has been exposed to over the years. Its political fortunes have taken a turn for the worse as its stimulating presence has been dulled on account of over stay.  
[ad]
But on February 25, 2023 the people will have a chance to take a decision on whether to pull out all the stops and effect the desired change or hang loose and stay diminished. Whatever decision taken has the capacity to either improve their situation or cause it to go to the dogs.  

Regardless, this is where the candidacy of Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi comes into focus. It provides not just a viable alternative, but also the capacity to change the course of representation. It has been tested and proven during his five-month active representation. It requires no indicative test to assure the constituency it needs it in the 10th National Assembly to reinvent its lost charm. It was clear even to the most implacable enemy that his brief, but momentous representation was nearly almost orbiting the constituency on national satellite before the star went dim.

Two things are very clear here. One is that the low quality representation, which has diminished the constituency, has no chance of improving if no conscious effort is made to change it. Secondly, with the benefit of hindsight, only Ibezi from the crowd on the ballot has the capacity to end the mediocrity, turn things around and return the constituency on the course of robust representation. He did it before and will very easily do it again.

It bears repeating here that it was during his time in the House of Representatives that subjects never broached either, because of lack of political will, commitment or courage had a chance of discussion for the first time. For example, the decongestion of the Lagos Ports (Tin Can and Apapa) and the activation of the moribund Delta, Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onitsha Inland Ports had a chance of being debated after Ibezi sponsored a motion to have them decongested and resuscitated respectively. The entire nation paid attention to this motion and conversation on the matter peaked with a tour of the facilities by select committee members. In a matter of weeks, activities were revived in the five Eastern Ports hitherto moribund for well over four decades.  

It will avail little recounting his achievements during the brief stay in the House. But suffice it to say that just before he had a chance to consolidate on his effort, the poster child of the 9th Assembly was removed by a regrettable Appeal Court judgment; a good opportunity was lost. What was more, no attempt was made since his exit to consolidate on the good effort. None to engage differently thus bringing to an end the era of robust and purposeful representation.           

It is important to note that outside legislative duties, which are the primary responsibilities of a lawmaker, next to deciding what makes a good representative is the ability to appreciate the hopes and aspirations of his people. Hon. Ibezi excelled in both. He was as good in legislative duties as he was in over sight responsibilities.

Prior to going to the House, he was deeply involved in both human capital and infrastructural development. The 17 communities of Idemili North and South council areas still bear evidence of his efforts. He facilitated not only the solar street lights in these communities, but employment opportunities for job seekers, grants, scholarships, skill acquisition trainings etc.
[ad]
He furthered these efforts while in the House of Reps. He also facilitated the release of the long-held grant meant for Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and attracted few road constructions in a number of communities within the constituency.

The coming election will be opportunity for Idemili North and South to make amend. The mistake of foisting a wrong representative on the constituency has no better chance of being corrected than now. It is believed that the mistake of foisting the wrong guy on the constituency will be corrected on February 25. It will be another chance for Umu Idemili to reaffirm their confidence in Ibezi and work against any plot to vitiate the effort. His candidacy has continued to receive endorsements from across party platforms, suggesting that voting in the coming election will be decided not on partisan interest, but on individual capacity.  

Ibezi is popular, no doubt. He also has massive grass root following that provokes fear and causes his opponents smarting sense of injury. Perhaps, that explains why attempts were made to malign his person and possibly enfeeble his campaign efforts three weeks previously. But what the forces arrayed against him appears not to know is that his popularity among voters in the constituency has no reproach. The little time he spent in the House Reps was like an elixir for the people. It not only exposed his humanity, love, and sense of commitment to the people, but it put paid to any criminal contrivance intended to impugn his political career.

Unbeknownst to his detractors, the judicial fiat that removed him from the House Reps is still being rued by the people. This has doubtless re-enforced their determination to send him back to the House, this time with greater commitment than before. It will be no nip and tuck contest but a clear win that is going to reject incumbency and apathetic to inexperience. Idemili North and South Federal Constituency is in dire need of retrieval from legislative impunity that has left it waddling unsteadily. She deserves better.
Anyaduba, a public affairs commentator, writes from Abatete
[ad]