Greg Duru and The ‘Stolen Mandate’ of Abakaliki North State Constituency.
By Emeka Odinammadu

The rise and fall of any nation lies in the hearts of men, because from there are them all conceived. For this Chinua Achebe wrote, that 'nothing will happen to our nation which did not first happen in our minds'. Abakaliki North Constituency is one of the constituencies that make up the 24 seats at Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Abakaliki North is predominantly occupied by people from Anambra, Enugu. Abia and Imo States who in the tripartite Spirit of Ndigbo, found succor in Abakaliki and have established there. About 70% occupants of Abakaliki fall under this category. These are people who through the Spirit of Igbamgbo have contributed immensely towards the development of Ebonyi State. It is in appreciation and recognition of their business acumen and developmental strides that Dr. Sam Egwu as first executive Governor gave his consent to the arrangement of allowing settlers occupy at least one seat in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
In addition, Sam appointed one of our own from Anambra State into his cabinet. Since that time, successive governments have continued to retain this man, given his track record and capacity to deliver.
In 1999, it was Chief Fabian Muoneke – Unodougo who represented Abakaliki North at the House. He was a legislator for eight years and handed over to Dr. JAP Okoro. Okoro served for four years, and was bolted out in his attempt to return to the House by some political buccaneers acting on the orders of a notorious youth leader and his cronies who were out to create a divide between indigenes and non indigenes. Surely, they succeeded, however, the scar they left in the minds of non indigenes are quite sordid. People have their history, but where history is not recorded and accorded its respect, rascals dig trenches on graves of noble men and proclaim villains as valiant. It is this return to status quo that Greg Duru has risen to challenge. Although, that position ceded to settlers is backed by unwritten mutuality. It has been respected until 2011 when the current occupant of that seat and his God father desecrated that arrangement. It is on good note that Abakaliki which is a core Izzi land is the most developed area in Ebonyi State, not because it is Holy See of the State, but because of the Izzi man's inclination to accommodate strangers. This seeming 'stupidity' of the Izzi man has placed Abakaliki in global map. The settlers in Ebonyi State revere the Izzi man, not just as his landlord, but because of his foresight and ingenuity. Today, Izzi language is the most widely spoken lingua by non indigenes.

Since then, we have all had to walk like conquered people without anyone mustering the courage to challenge this reverse. We no longer have any representation in the House, where laws that affect us or seek our allegiance are made! The essence of creating such space in the House is to enable our voice to be heard. To give us the opportunity to make input in the process of law making. It is to enable us participate in the development process. What is amazing is Elechi’s surreptitious disposition to this anomaly. The Abakpa market, Mechanic village, Timber shade, Kpirikpiri market and a host of others are places through which we have advanced taxes for the good of the State. Annually, we buy cars and renew papers and get our driver's licenses in the State. Our shops and beer parlors contribute in raising the Internally Generated Revenue for the State.

Before the creation of the State in 1996, the non indigenes played great role in the education sector. Almost, the entire primary and secondary school teachers in the State, then, were non indigenes. In fact, today's teachers will proudly call names of their mentors who are either from Enugu, Anambra, Imo or Abia States.

The forth coming election is strictly about issues. It is sad to say that the current occupant of Abakaliki North Constituency seat in the House has NEVER held any meeting with us, talk more of consultation. The essence of this piece is not to lead a crusade of his ouster, but to place facts before us, weigh them and remind voters that 2015 election is anchored on issues and ideas. Evolutionary politics in the Ebonyi has shade light to the reality that party is a crowd, but leadership is about personality.

Given Greg Duru's pedigree and exposure, a more articulated representation that will ignite a proactive change for the betterment of Ebonyi is imperative.