The 2023 gubernatorial and state assembly elections may have come and gone, however, it is trite for historical purposes to examine some factors which made it possible for Dr. Nnamdi C. Ibekwe president OziomaChi foundation to be elected amidst the array of contestants for Bende North state constituency. These factors distinguished Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe from the rest of the contestants to the same seat. The predisposing traits of Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe as a thorough, cool, calm and collected yet brave fellow did not just single him out among the rest, it made him the best that nature has made him and a better eclectic positive “other”.
Chief among other factors that will be x-ray hereunder are his
1. Personal development initiatives: Development initiatives like palm oil mill at Ugwueke, and lgbere, palliative on Ezeukwu Road, culvert construction, OziomaChi continuing education centres, green house and animal husbandry empowerment centres with borehole at Alayi, medical outreaches, youths empowerment seminars, health/medical outreaches, donation of beds/support to health centres, erosion control seminars/sensitisation programmes, widows support, scholarship programs and job creation. These programs were not just truly executed, they were programs with widespread presence among the people, hence it was difficult for anyone to be oblivious of them.
2. Humility/Connection with the rural people: Despite his social status, Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe showed that humility is not just a political tactic he has employed, rather it is an innate character that is consistent in everything he does. For instance on several occasions when traversing to and fro the villages, he would stop, help, and even give a lift to the old women returning from the farm. He didn’t stop there, severally, he would pay for the grinding of their Cassava at the mill. A character which endeared him in the hearts of the people of Umunna.
3. The Epoch of new breed of leaders: If there is something special the 2023 election came with, it is the desire for the emergence of new sets of leaders with proven records of integrity, capacity and competence as well as, track record of community achievement and performance. And Dr. Nnamdi lbekwe did not only prove be top most in this regard, but has his signature of community development initiatives all over Bende. And this placed in the mold of leaders needed by the people for the enthronement of the new order desired by the people.
4. OziomaChi and the song “Ka anyi ga zigara ha ozi” which resonated with the people as well as connected with their spirituality:
The deployment of this song set him miles apart from other contestants who played political rhetorics which are no more desired by the people. While the people embraced OziomaChi approach and even align with the divine as being central for any good governance to ensue.
5. Massive support from the women groups and leadership cadre: Over the years OziomaChi foundation championed by Dr Nnamdi C. lbekwe has been at forefront of widows support by giving scholarship to their children and equally supporting them in all ramifications. At a point he hosted an event where over one thousand women were given wrappers, food items etc. The close relationship and generosity towards the women created the belief that he is a leader that will not forget them once elected.
6. The lgbere spirit -onye mezie Ebiri, Ebiri emezie ya: Igbere people demonstrated cum acknowledged that the PDP candidate Dr Nnamdi C. Ibekwe by his community initiatives has been impactful and that it will be wickedness not to show him reciprocal love by voting enmass for him. Consequently, fulfilling the second spirit of lgbere -ejiri mara lgbere, *Onye agbala nge nge*. Igbere people invoked this spirit through their votes to a point that when outsiders were expecting him to fail in lgbere through massive division of lgbere votes; lgbere people disappointed them by giving him block vote.
7. Timing: the very best of plans can yield unhelpful when improperly timed. Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe may have done so much as a campaign strategy, but his timing of his gestures was top notch. In fact, the timing of his grassroot development activities displaced every other contestant outrightly and further laced his programs with genuinty. The people have come to see politicians as people that work whenever election is by the corner. The fact that Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe started his programs when he has not made his political ambition public made the people believe in him as someone who will do so much when given the power. Severally people would say, if he has no powers and is doing this much, how much more when occupying a public office. Unfortunately, his rivals started their campaign programs when the election was by the corner. Resultantly, they were seen as just another politicians seeking votes.
In conclusion, a general overview of the house of assembly election will reveal that, the victory of the PDP candidate Dr Nnamdi C. Ibekwe is nothing, but, a show of reciprocal love and repayment of good work by the good people of Bende North state Constituency who have seen, witnessed and tested his good works via OziomaChi foundation and vowed that Dr Nnamdi C. Ibekwe should be encouraged to continue the good works in coming days through proper representation in Abia state house of assembly. It equally, proves that, going forward, the people will only elect leaders with track records of verifiable community initiatives and development.
The New Nigeria 