Otukpo/Ohimini 2027: ‘I’m David, Blessing Onuh is Goliath’ – JC Obande’s granddaughter, Emama Oyidu Ikwue

Hon. Emama Oyidu Ikwue, candidate of the NDP for the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State, has said politics should not be reserved for one family, insisting that political power should go round.

Ikwue stated this during an interview with Idoma TV’s The Conversation while speaking on her 2027 ambition and the contest for the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency seat.

The NDP candidate said she decided to join the race because of what she described as the pains of her people and her desire to provide better representation.

She said if the incumbent representative was doing what the people wanted, she would not have had a reason to contest, arguing that elected representatives who perform well deserve the continued support of the electorate.

However, she said where an elected representative fails to deliver, other candidates should be allowed to emerge and offer an alternative.

Ikwue invoked the biblical story of David and Goliath while describing her political contest, saying she sees herself as David and Blessing Onuh as Goliath.

She said political promotion ultimately comes from God, rather than human beings, adding that she possesses what she described as “spiritual wealth.”

The candidate also spoke about her family background, particularly the legacies of her grandfather, Hon. Chief J.C. Obande, and her uncle, Brigadier General Emmanuel Ebij Ekwe.

According to her, the two men left respected names in Idoma land, adding that their legacies had given her the confidence to enter politics.

Ikwue said a good name could not be bought with money and that she was proud of the reputation associated with her family.

She, however, stressed that political power should not remain within one family.

“It’s not for one family. If God gives me that position, it should go round. We should spread it,” she said.

Ikwue also criticised what she described as inadequate development and empowerment in Otukpo, particularly the focus on distributing motorcycles to young people rather than creating sustainable opportunities.

She said many young people in the area were talented, especially in entertainment, but lacked the support needed to develop their abilities.

The candidate also identified security as a major concern, saying young people willing to participate in community security efforts needed greater support.

She said she would prioritise security if elected before focusing extensively on youth empowerment.

I WON’T ACCEPT ZONING AS A BARRIER — IKWUE

On claims that the Otukpo/Ohimini seat should be zoned to a particular local government area because of previous representation, Ikwue called for a free and fair election.

“I feel this election should be free and fair. Who the crown fits, let him take it,” she said.

She argued that the electorate should choose the candidate capable of delivering results rather than determining the outcome solely on the basis of zoning.

According to her, an incumbent who performs well could continue to receive the people’s support regardless of zoning, but poor performance should open the door for other candidates.

Ikwue said the same principle should apply to the Otukpo/Ohimini contest.

She argued that she should not be denied the opportunity to represent the constituency simply because she is not from a particular part of the constituency.

“We cannot say if I win now, they will say because I am not from Ohimini, then they will not give it to me,” she said.

“It is wrong. Let us give people the appreciation — the person that you know will make this thing work.”

She said the issue should be about electing a leader who would unite the people and work for their collective interest.

‘I AM PREPARED’

Speaking about her preparedness for the 2027 election, Ikwue said she was ready both financially and at the grassroots level, attributing her confidence to God, family, friends and supporters.

She said she had people supporting her ambition and expressed confidence that she was adequately prepared for the contest.

The candidate also said she wanted to restore the prominence of the Ikwue name, adding that she hoped her political performance would make her family proud.

Appealing to the electorate, Ikwue promised to fight for her constituents if elected to the National Assembly.

She said security would be among her major priorities and promised to seek immediate solutions whenever serious problems arose in the constituency.

“I am ready to fight for my people even in the National Assembly,” she said.

Ikwue also promised transparency and accountability if elected, saying she would present a scorecard at the end of her four-year tenure to show what she had achieved.

“I will make sure at every end of my term for four years, I have the scorecard to tell you that this is what I was meant to do,” she said.

She urged the people of Otukpo/Ohimini to support her candidacy, describing herself as the right candidate to represent the constituency and promising to put smiles on the faces of her constituents.