A few days ago, some courageous Ukwa men and women who had agreed like millions of other Abians, that their House of Representatives member, Hon. Nkem Abonta has been a disaster of immense proportion, took their destiny in their hands when they staged a protest and held a press conference respectively, asking that their under-performer law maker steps down or be recalled, in line with modern democratic ethos, and provisions of our constitution.

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It was the legendary Nigerian statesman, Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who once opined that ” It behoves maturity, healthy politicking and Civilized mind, that in a democratic dispensation, the views and yearnings of the people must be respected, if free and fair”.

Zik’s admonition is a clear recognition of the important place of the people in democratic governance.

A few days ago, some courageous Ukwa men and women who had agreed like millions of other Abians, that their House of Representatives member, Hon. Nkem Abonta has been a disaster of immense proportion, took their destiny in their hands when they staged a protest and held a press conference respectively, asking that their under-performer law maker steps down or be recalled, in line with modern democratic ethos, and provisions of our constitution.

As expected from a non-performer who has no verifiable projects or accomplishments to present as facts of defence, Honourable Abonta allegedly resorted to fictions and fallacies by allegedly sponsoring a tiny group of anti-democratic renegades to cowardly detach the battle from the disappointed and disillusioned masses of Ukwa, and turn it into a Chris Nkwonta battle.

Because Representative Abonta and his men didn’t believe in Zik’s philosophy of respecting the views and yearnings of the people, and because he and his lieutenants believe they owe the people of Ukwa no explanations or apologies, they didn’t bother to defend the allegations levelled against them by Ukwa youths with facts of verifiable achievements.

By cunningly bringing Sir. Chris Nkwonta into the issue, the group led by one Charles Samankwe intend to trivialize, divert attention and politicize the whole thing so that it would bring nonexistent divisions amongst our youths who have united across political and sectional lines, and vowed to reclaim their federal constituency for the good of all.

It smacks of mischief that a supposedly elected representative of the people cannot put up a defence against weighty allegations made by the masses, but allegedly resorted to dragging the name of an innocent and respected indigene of the area to the mud. This simply means that this representative has a terrible scorecard that’s unfit for advertisement.

Assuming without conceding that the essence of the protest and press conference was to clear the ground for Sir. Nkwonta to run for the aforementioned legislative position, is Sir. Nkwonta not eminently qualified for it?

It’s important to state without equivocation that, should Sir. Chris Nkwonta steps out tomorrow to run for House of Representatives which he’s obviously far bigger than, it would be for two reasons. First, as a mark of respect for his people who have always reposed enormous confidence in him, hence their continuous loyalty, solidarity and desperate expectation to have him represent them.

Secondly, because he’s the major face in Ukwa that has the name, the reputation, the capacity and the followership to dislodge Abonta and bring him back from Abuja to Ukwa land for restitution.

Assuming Nkwonta decides to run, majority of honest Ukwa men and women would know that he would not be going to Abuja as an economic refugee who would corner what belongs to the people, but as an accomplished businessman, investor and philanthropist who would want to do everything possible to use the necessary government agencies and consolidate his already existing developmental giant strides in Ukwa land.

Finally, the protest and threat of recall against Abonta is on the basis of poor performance, so let him be courageous enough to explain why his federal constituency is starved of worthy constituency projects in spite of the huge constituency allowances which he’s alleged to have gotten.

Let him also explain why his federal constituency is suffering from consistent underdevelopment due to absence of government presence why he has continued to enjoy personal economic boom. These are some of the demands of the people, we think that these demands are fair and legitimate enough to receive a responsible response from an honest representative.

For our brother, Charles Samankwe, who has no grudge against Abonta’s poor performance, we would advise that he reviews his title which is “Social Media Strategist” and replace it with Stomach Matter Strategist” which is befitting of the hatchet job he executed.

Ubani Ogbonna for and on behalf of

Ukwa Progressive Alliance.

Writes from Umuahia.