Apa/Agatu House of Reps 2027: I’m ready to serve, but not desperate – Barr. Joy Okpainmo

Barr. Joy Okpainmo is a dedicated lawyer, seasoned legislative aide, and passionate advocate for her people, seeking to represent the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

With over six years of experience in the National Assembly, she has honed her expertise in legislative drafting, legal services, and policy development under Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro. 

Known for her commitment to community development, Barr. Okpainmo has initiated impactful projects in education, electrification, and women and youth empowerment, driven by her belief that leadership is about service, competence, and compassion.

As a woman and a mother, she brings a strong, vocal voice to the aspirations of her people, aiming to deliver the dividends of democracy, foster transparency, and create lasting solutions for the constituency.

In this interview with Idoma Voice, Barr. Joy Okpainmo, shares her vision, experience and plans to bring effective representation, empowerment, and development to her people.

EXCERPTS:

It is said that the place of a woman is in the kitchen. Can you tell us what inspired you to contest for the House of Representatives seat for Apa/Agatu?

Okay, before I answer that question, I would like to react to your initial statement that the place of a woman used to be in the kitchen and, of course, the bedroom. One of our first presidents described his wife as one who belongs… However, I want to correct that notion. The place of a woman has never really been in the kitchen. I don’t know where that came from.

If you are talking about women’s emancipation in our generation, you might be wrong. People like Deborah in the Bible were already leading their people long before our time. Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, gave birth to the Lord of all at a young age. And in other religions, there are also influential women. So, many great women have existed before now, making an impact at various levels. I’d like to say that we are not just becoming emancipated; the place of women has always been there, perhaps we were just not recognized.

Now, on the question you asked: Yes, my inspiration to run for the office of the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency comes from passion, competence, and experience. For those who know me, I have a passion for humanity. Secondly, competence. And lastly, experience.

The politics of the National Assembly can be complex. When a new term starts, ranking lawmakers often have influence because of experience. First-timers must learn the rules, and it takes time, sometimes one or two years, before they find their footing. The people who elected you are expecting results, so having experience matters.

I have worked in the National Assembly for six to seven years under senior leadership, drafting legislative documents and rendering legal services. I am competent and experienced, and I decided to run to preserve the place of my people.

There has been debate on social media about zoning versus competence. Some argue that power should rotate, but I believe competence should not be ignored. I have experience, competence, and a track record. I am passionate about my people and want to bring the dividends of democracy to them.

What are the three priorities you intend to pursue if elected to the House of Representatives?

Security, education, welfare, and empowerment. You asked for three, so I’ll give you four. Security is the primary challenge for the people of Afar. While insecurity is a national problem, we are among the most affected. But as I always tell people, every problem has a solution.

One key solution is industrialization. We have abundant resources: water bodies, arable land, and everything else one could imagine. God has blessed us. Have you ever wondered why, even before insecurity became a national issue, Afar was always making headlines for attacks? That was a federal conspiracy. When there is a tree full of fruit, people throw stones at it. My place is rich with resources, and the focus should be on harnessing our potential rather than being targeted.

Education and welfare are also critical. Children cannot attend school during crises, and healthcare cannot function effectively without security. Everything hinges on security. Empowerment, particularly for youth and women, is also important.

What do you think stands you out among other aspirants?

For someone like me, who already has experience and competence, I decided to run for this position because there is currently a debate on social media where some supporters of other aspirants argue for zoning over competence. While there was a zoning arrangement in my area, my focus has always been on results. Some people insist that power should remain with a select few, claiming competence as their reason. But two-thirds of our people are not competent. I am competent. I have worked in the National Assembly under the senior minority leader for six to seven years and continue to grow.

I have produced motions, petitions, and legislative documents. My work spans both legislative and legal duties, and I am familiar with which committee handles what and where documents need to be presented. I am presenting myself as a competent person ready to preserve the place of the Afar people.

Beyond competence, there is passion. I am a home girl, born in Ojope, Ofoke to be precise, and I understand the challenges that our people face. I want to use my experience and competence to provide solutions. My inspiration to run for the office of the House of Representatives comes from my passion for the people. I want to bring back the dividends of democracy, impact the people of Afar through federal competence, and, of course, leverage my experience.

Another inspiration is my gender. I come from a place where many people believe there is a limit to what a woman can achieve. I want to change that narrative, showing the people of Afar—especially women—that there are no limitations to what you can achieve.

How do you plan to address infrastructure, healthcare, and economic empowerment alongside these priorities?

As I said, security is foundational. Once communities are secure, we can develop infrastructure and healthcare systems and support economic empowerment programs. For example, in my constituency, schools have been destroyed during crises, leaving children without classrooms or chairs. By improving security, we enable all other development.

How do you engage the youth and communities to participate in governance?

I am a youth myself, so I understand the challenges. I regularly engage with youth through home meetings and empowerment programs. Listening to them is important—they often feel that their voices are ignored. I interface with them to understand their problems and provide solutions. Any nation without youth engagement has no future.

What challenges do you anticipate in your campaign, and how will you overcome them?

Politics in my constituency is unique. The people value unity, and incumbency alone does not guarantee support. I am confident that my experience, competence, and passion will earn the trust of the people. I focus on issues, not rivalries.

How will you ensure transparency and accountability in your leadership?

I am a grassroots politician. I will consistently engage communities and youth. There is nothing to hide in governance; the budgeting process and project implementation are public. People know if you are transparent, and I intend to be fully accountable to my constituents.

You want to unseat a sitting lawmaker, Ojotu Ojema. How easy is the task?

The politics of my constituency is very peculiar. Once the people start speaking in unison, if you do not listen to them, you will have yourself to blame. Incumbent or not, our people do not recognize the power of incumbency. The current incumbent may run against someone who has just finished their term, and yet the people do not give undue advantage to either. So, for me, this is not a problem. I am not afraid. Yes, the power of incumbency exists, but I am up to the task.

Now, on a broader scale, Nigerian politics is complex. Transparency and accountability are critical concerns. As a representative, I will ensure both by actively engaging with the youth and the communities. I am not a “remote” politician; I am a grassroots person. Politics is local, and I am a local woman, born and raised in a village. I will engage directly with the people so they know what is happening.

There is nothing to hide. The budgeting process in Nigeria is publicly available, and updates on constituency projects are communicated through multiple platforms. True transparency means that if you are accountable, the people will know; if not, they will also know.

Experience plays a major role in ensuring accountability. Many leaders enter office with good intentions but are not familiar with the workings of the National Assembly. They must learn the processes and develop the lobby power needed to bring dividends to their constituents. By the time they settle in, comparisons are made with previous representatives, which can create pressure.

For me, this is not an issue. I am already familiar with the “river,” having worked in the National Assembly before. I understand the terrain, and I am committed to being accountable and transparent to my people at all times.

Now, one of my community initiatives that demonstrates my commitment to family and the people is my scholarship program. When I indicated my interest to run for the House of Representatives, we reviewed several ongoing projects. One of the questions I was asked concerned the children on my scholarship team in the polytechnic area…

Can you share an example of a community initiative that demonstrates your commitment?

One example is my scholarship programme. In one area, we supported 100 students, and this year, we extended it to 500. I have also facilitated electrification in my community and surrounding areas, bringing light to previously dark villages. Additionally, the Ojope Christmas Funfair for widows brings joy, welfare, and community engagement every year. These projects are driven by passion and a commitment to the people, not politics.

For me, it has always been about passion. Impacting lives is passion. Touching lives is passion. I have been doing this for many years. I was born in a small village in Ofoke. While we may call it small, it holds great significance for me. Over the years, I have initiated several community projects there.

For example, in the community where I was born, we never experienced proper electrification. Children growing up there had no real knowledge of electricity unless they encountered it through those who could afford generators or other alternatives like LED lights. For the general population, the government-provided electricity was practically non-existent.

In my capacity as a staff member of the senior minority leader in the Senate—a very supportive and attentive senator—I was able to bring the concerns of my people to him. Together, we worked to improve electricity access. He inspired and guided me through the process.

Through our efforts, three communities benefited from electrification projects. First, Olojo was electrified. Then my primary community, Ofoke, received power. After that, we extended the project to Olomaha. This is the place I proudly call my home.

What advice do you have for young girls and women aspiring to leadership?

Women are natural multipliers of productivity. Every girl child should be resilient, strong, and pursue her dreams. With commitment and hard work, they can make an impact in any field.

Finally, why should the people of Apa/Agatu vote for you?

I am running not for myself but for the people. I have the experience, competence, and passion to deliver the dividends of democracy. I understand the National Assembly, know the problems of my people, and am committed to being a compassionate, responsive, and transparent leader. Supporting me is supporting progress, empowerment, and joy for Apa/Agatu.

I am running for this office not out of doubt. Honestly, as a lawyer, I believe I am self-sufficient. This is not about me; it’s about the people. I have the experience, the capacity, and the resources. I am competent to run, to win, and to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I know the problems of our people, and I am here to address them. This is not about self; it’s about the people of the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency.

Beyond that, this is the voice of a woman, a woman who has inherited strength and purpose. As a woman and a mother, I have a compassionate heart. I am coming out as your compassionate leader: a representative who will not close her ears to the cries of her people, a leader who will not be selfish when the people are suffering.

I have worked in the National Assembly and with policy makers. I understand that representation is about policy making, and I know the terrain of the Assembly. I have the faith, the experience, and the competence to represent you effectively and deliver real results. I am here to change the narrative.

I have always loved my people. That is why, as an undergraduate, I published a book about our people, their history, strength, resources, and beauty. I launched it in 2014. I present myself now to speak for you. I have the strong, vocal voice you have always needed.

I will not just sit quietly as a youth in the Assembly. I will act. I am here to echo and re-echo the voice of Afar Agatu in the National Assembly. The mandate belongs to the people, and I ask you to support me—support a woman who is ready to serve and deliver for the people.