By Douglas Princemola
Residents and political stakeholders from Egwe/Egbuoma Ward in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State have been urged to unite and demand better political representation in the area.
The call was made by Hon. Comrade Uche Chukwudi, a former Councillor representing Egwe/Egbuoma Ward and former Supervisor for Works and Transport in Oguta LGA, who expressed concern over what he described as years of political marginalisation of the ward.
According to Chukwudi, Egwe/Egbuoma has not produced an elected representative in the Oguta political space since the late Hon. Chief Eric Ogbonna, whom he said contested for the State House of Assembly in 1979.
He said the situation had continued for more than four decades despite the population and voting strength of the ward.
“Egwe/Egbuoma Ward is not short of capacity. We have lawyers, doctors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, professors, technocrats, clergy and seasoned administrators,” Chukwudi said.
He said the problem was not a lack of qualified people but the limited political opportunities available to the people of the ward.
Chukwudi also raised concerns over what he described as the continued allocation of political opportunities to communities that have already occupied elective positions, arguing that Egwe/Egbuoma should also be given an opportunity to produce a representative.
The former councillor called on sons and daughters of Egwe/Egbuoma to put aside political and personal differences and work together to achieve fair representation.
He said the ward must speak with one voice if it hopes to secure a stronger position within Oguta LGA and Oguta State Constituency.
Chukwudi disclosed that Ikechukwu David Udeogwu had secured the mandate of the NDC to contest for the Imo State House of Assembly seat representing Oguta State Constituency.
Describing the development as an opportunity for Egwe/Egbuoma, he urged residents to unite and support the quest for better political representation.
“Our moment is here. We either take it together, or we continue to lose opportunities to those who have already written us off,” he said.
He appealed to political leaders, professionals, youths, traditional stakeholders and other members of the community to put the interest of Egwe/Egbuoma first.
Chukwudi called for an end to what he described as the political marginalisation of the ward, insisting that Egwe/Egbuoma must speak with one voice and seek its rightful place in the political affairs of Oguta LGA.
