Truthfully, it would be a crime not to!
I discovered Senator Dr. Uche Ekwunife, lately, through her performance in the House of Representatives, and later, in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I speak as a women rights advocate, who has canvassed for both gender parity and effective representation at the National Assembly. In our different groups, especially in FIDA, we are constantly carrying out advocacies to canvas for able women like Senator Ekwunife who has broken all the barriers and restrictions on the path to political power to continue in the good works of bringing government down to the grassroots. Nigeria needs more, not less, of eminently qualified people like her. Anambra people must not lose ofu mkpuluakwu anyi runye n’okwu for any reason in the world.
Besides, the politics of 2023 transcends political parties – anya saa kwa Ndi Anambra!
The time for wholesale adoption of candidates of any political party is well behind us. IT SHOULD NOW BE ABOUT ABILITIES. CHOOSE THOSE WHO WILL PERFORM WELL NO MATTER WHAT PARTY THEY BELONG TO…
Senator Uche Ekwunife has shown ability. There are very few like her – women with capacity; tenacity; courage and presence of mind to embrace situations as they arise:
When Nigerian Security Agencies became a thorn in the sides of Ndi Anambra, by militarising the region, who courageously stood tall and cried out for them to cease and desist from trampling on the rights of the Ndi Anambra to freely move around and ply their trades? This is but an example of the many times she moved the Nigerian Government to immediate action.
Who has attracted some many Federal projects to Anambra State and followed up to make sure they are functional and thriving?
Who has gone into different parts of the Anambra Senatorial Districts to set up empowerment programs for the women – widows especially, and the youths? Her empowerment programs run into over 410 Million Naira.
Who has completed and handed over several units of tastefully built bungalows to widows across the Senatorial District?
Who has built schools, health centres and other infrastructures within wards and local governments in Anambra Central Senatorial District?
Who has tarred roads, repaired and maintained existing ones in the same area?
Who has put in boreholes to ease the problems with access to water in Anambra Central Senatorial District?
The answer to all the above is this same woman, Uche Ekwunife. These are but few references to show that she has constantly gone beyond the call of her office as a legislator, to reach out and be there for her people. Ugwo eziolu bu olu ozo! Send her to achieve more! I appeal especially to the women of Anambra Central to remember that one of our own can only rise if we shoulder her up. Let the joint power of the women’s votes, along with those of the men count on her side.
This plea, I make, not as a politician, but as a concerned woman, mother, and activist for democratic leadership.
I watch the political scene and dissect the same in the classrooms. I receive feedback from my involvement with NGO work for the good of the people. I can tell you for free that Senator Dr Uche Ekwunife is one of those we cite freely both nationally and internationally as one of highly performing legislators in Nigeria.
I am quite well-known as a past Vice Chair of Nigerian Bar Association and National Executive Council Representative for the Abuja Branch. I am better known as a past Vice Chair of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). I do not need to be asked to write my opinion on cogent political issues affecting Anambra. I want what is best for the State to which I have born two men and three women. I would like to see a more prosperous Anambra. I have remained consistent in my support for Senator Ekwunife both on and off the social media. Many of my colleagues who need favours from her call me simply because of my support for her. They have invariably returned to say that she gave them a hearing ear. Never was she not attentive when we have reached out to her as women groups both in her home and at events, that she did not bare her soul on the plight of women.
FELLOW WOMEN LET’S NOT FORGET OUR OWN AND LATER COMPLAIN THAT WOMEN ARE NOT BEING EFFECTIVELY REPRESENTED. NO ONE NEEDS TO BE REMINDING US OF THIS!
I plead also, for all PEOPLE of Anambra Central District who have PVCs to use them wisely in retaining for us the one firebrand we have in the Nigerian Senate currently. Let no one deceive you! Do this as a duty for posterity!
I am,
Ozioma Izuora,
A lawyer, Teacher, and Women Rights Advocate
IKOLO NEWS 