2019: Samson Okwu in trouble as Igede community moves against his third term ambition

Samson Okwu, the lawmaker representing Oju/Obi constituency at the House of Representatives, has been given a red card by the Igede community over his third term ambition.

Okwu, who is regarded as a benchwarmer, had last week picked and submitted his nomination forms for third term.

His ambition, however, sparked a slew of controversy as his constituents vowed to thwart his third term bid.

Some Igede natives, who spoke with IDOMA VOICE, said they never voted Okwu, rather he was imposed on them by those they described as ‘Otukpo Lords.’

A native of Obi, Aja John, said Okwu has not done anything to empower the people of the area, especially the youth since he assumed power in 2011.

He recalled how Okwu bounced a law student from Obi, who had come to seek for help from his office in 2017.

“Okwu again? Never! We are tired of him warming bench in the House. We better remain without a lawmaker. I remember in 2017, when I directed a law student from Obi, who needed financial assistance but was bounced by Okwu.

“I will personally mobilize Igede youths to campaign against him. Okwu needs to respect himself. We don’t need a dunce as a representative. It is an insult that Igede, which parades fertile minds, would be parading a half-schooled Okwu as our leader. It is an insult on our entire community and that must stop in 2019. He was imposed on us by the Lords of Otukpo and now we are wiser and ready to push him out,” a visibly angry AJA told our reporter.

Another Okpe Reuben said, “This man should stop wasting his time. We are tired of him warming bench. Abeg, go sidon joo.”

Also, a statement Igede Youths for Good Governance, described Okwu’s third term bid as dead on arrival.

The statement signed by Solomon Ogiri, said Okwu’s eight years at the lower chamber is a monumental failure.

The group advised him to bury his ambition as the Igede community would no longer allow outsider dictate who will represent them.

“Okwu is a failure. Everything about him represents failure and we the Igede youths are saying enough is enough. For eight years, he was imposed on us by outsiders and we are saying, no more!

“Outsiders cannot continue to impose failure on the good people of Igede community. As a matter of fact, we never voted Igede, the power that be from Otukpo put him there. He has been representing himself and family and not the people of Igede.

“We call on all Igede sons and daughters to stop Okwu from bulldozing his way into power again.

“We cannot continue to parade a man who cannot express himself before his colleagues.

“We cannot parade a man who cannot push for the Igede course at the green chamber.

“Shame on Okwu and those who imposed him our people. We have ha enough of him and it is time to show him the exit door,” the statement added.