By Ifeanyi Chijioke
The bills she drafted and sponsored within this short period of time. The political interventions. The battles for human dignity and justice. The political might to attract the state government to her constituency. The open communications with electorates. The family-like political journey. Onitsha North Constituency 1 has gotten the taste and yearns for more.
Speaking with an electorate in Onitsha North Constituency 1, he said they have not finished their celebration of finally electing a worthy representative, and another election is already knocking on their doors.
Well, Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe won a hotly contested by-election, where excellence per character distinguished her amidst an emotionally charged by-election. It was a by-election, and a fresh election is constitutionally billed to take place afterwards.
I told the electorate to relax because the joy has just begun. Not only would Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe be returned, but the joy this time would last for four years.
APGA returned her unopposed because everyone wants to watch the beautiful masquerade in the House of Assembly. The masquerade that has shown politicians can be really humble and service-oriented. The masquerade that emasculated her peers in service.
When I asked a few electorates in the Onitsha North Constituency 1 about the performance of the Honorable Member, a lot of people said they hardly remembered when last they had a friend and natural representative who cares for them, speaks with them, and answers them when contacted; in summary, she was down to earth and focused on serving her constituents.
What Mimiy has shown is the very thing most politicians in Nigeria lack; once elected, they become far away from the people. They remember the level has changed and stay on their high horses but only come down in the next election period.
Well, Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe was not changed by her position. She didn’t stop playing with her ordinary people. She didn’t stop communicating because she won the election. She didn’t change her lifestyle of reaching out on the basis of equality. She went in there to bring change and was not changed by the position.
Well, that is the first sign of understanding that getting into a political office is about serving the people and not expecting reverence. It’s not about distancing from the people but coming closer to know them more and understand what they need. And it’s only when there is that connection that the dividend of democracy can reach the grassroots.
I have paid keen attention to this disposition because that is the first step to knowing someone who really cares about changing lives with the position she occupies.
A full-term election is coming, and the preamble has been quite promising for Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe and her supporters.
We have gotten the taste of the fine character of the Ikpeazu political dynasty, and in no distant time, the people of Onitsha North would go to the ballot to not only return Mimiy Ifeoma Azikiwe but also ensure the continuity that is now shaping Onitsha North Constituency 1’s political landscape.
