By Ifeanyi Chijioke
I have keenly watched the House of Assembly Member of Onitsha North Constituency 1, Hon. Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe. It has been a thing of beauty seeing a different politician with a touch of foreign class.
As soon as I saw Hon. Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe going to different wards to interact with her constituents, I remembered parliamentarians in the UK and US; this is the same thing they do; they go to their communities to interact and know what the immediate needs of constituents are. By visiting and interacting with her constituents, it was clear she really came to work. With this, she knows what to attract the governor on to do for her people—things beyond her constituency budget. Problem is half-solved by listening to victims.
This piece is not to sing her praise but to shed light on the model she embraced as a representative in the Anambra State House of Assembly. Frankly, nothing gladdens the heart of a public opinion maker like seeing a product he sold to the public making a difference and glittering. Outpacing and outshining her present and former colleagues. It’s indeed a thing of joy.
As soon as she won her bye-election, I began to observe her, and I kept my eyes and ears open. She is someone I believe in, not really based on experience but the love for humanity I saw in her. So, my keen observation of her was to know if there would be a difference. I have known and followed politicians in the country, so I know they have a pattern of character once they win an election.
They first show their sweet side and solicite for our votes. They make endless promises and sweet talking all the way. Once they make it to their respective offices, they disappear and come back the next election period.
I remember being a friend of a certain politician; year to year, it was all about going there, making money (allowances) plus salary, and going again. At a point, I asked myself if in the House, representatives only collect money (allowances) and attend house sessions and meetings and collect their pay, is that all they do?
But in the case of Ifeoma Azikiwe, just after a couple of months, I saw her sponsoring bills to enhance the lives of the people. I saw her actively finding solutions to make Anambralians better. She was voted in by Onitsha North Constituency 1 electorates, but the bills she sponsored are already benefiting the entire state.
Let me take a tour of the bills she has sponsored just within this little time in office. I must confess she has done what most people who spent years on the House of Assembly floor couldn’t do.
1. She sponsored a motion on the floor of the House calling for a comprehensive staff and personnel audit across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Anambra State. This aims to strengthen performance management, improve human resources effectiveness, and enhance governance without being an indictment on the civil service. This bill directly improves your everyday life as a citizen of Nigeria residing in Anambra State. Even without voting in her constituency, she gives you hope of a better and quality service.
She presented a bill for a law to amend the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2017, by inserting a new chapter addressing the non-consensual recording of intimate or private acts. This initiative seeks to protect individuals’ dignity, privacy, and psychological well-being in the digital age. We knew how this very act has damaged families and lives; here is our own Mimiy working to mitigate it. To save lives, careers, and families.
She has also contributed to discussions on related amendments, such as to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.
As Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions. In this capacity, she has endorsed and supported other initiatives, such as the proposed Special Seats Bill for greater women’s representation in politics. Women in our society have been relegated to the back seat, and here is a woman ready to bring our bright morning stars back to contributing and helping our society.
She was appointed to chair an ad-hoc committee reviewing the State Laws (Revised Law, 2025) to align them with contemporary needs and promote development.
Take a pause and ask yourself, does she even sleep or have time for herself? Is it even possible a politician would invest/put this kind of time and effort for our good? Anyway, she must have been learning from His Excellency, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
I know what it takes to think and find ways to improve human lives and dignity. You don’t do it by drinking beer and eating isi ewu every evening. You don’t do it by collecting allowances, salary, and flexing life. You do it by taking your time and studying your society to know where needs improvement.
Anyway, Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe is just starting; we might not have seen anything yet. Like I predicted months ago, we have a shining star in our hands from the political dynasty of Ikpeazu. We must build around her and contribute our bit.
Another election is coming, but just within months of winning her first one, her scorecard has won her the second one and more. We are on the right track with her personality. Her active participation through motions, bill presentations, committee work, and contributions to plenary debates is just the beginning.
