ATTRACTING DEVELOPMENT IS NOT A CRIME, IT IS EXACTLY WHAT LEADERSHIP DEMANDS

ATTRACTING DEVELOPMENT IS NOT A CRIME, IT IS EXACTLY WHAT LEADERSHIP DEMANDS

I find it interesting that, in their attempt to criticize Chief Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa, they unintentionally made one of the strongest arguments in his favour.

They wrote,

Much as we appreciate him for being used to attract those projects to the community…

Let’s pause there.

They have already acknowledged that he was instrumental in attracting those projects.

So, what exactly is the offence?

Should people now be condemned for facilitating development?

Should communities reject projects simply because someone played a role in ensuring they came?

By their own admission, the projects were attracted. The only issue they seem to have is that the person associated with attracting them is now seeking elective office.

No one has said Chief Ikenna Ukwa personally financed NDDC projects from his private account.

There is a world of difference between executing or facilitating a government project and claiming to have personally funded it.

If a project is attracted through the NDDC, the Federal Government, UBEC or any other intervention agency, it remains a government project. However, it is also true that these projects do not fall from the sky.

Communities compete for them.

People lobby for them.

Individuals follow up on them.

Some people use their relationships and influence to ensure their communities are not forgotten.

That is called facilitating development, and it is one of the qualities we expect from anyone aspiring to represent the people.

By their logic, no President should commission a federal highway because taxpayers funded it.

No Governor should inspect a state hospital because public funds built it.

No Senator or House of Representatives member should mention projects they facilitated because government paid for them.

That is simply not how representative democracy works.

They also described these interventions as “vote shopping.”

Really?

So attracting development to communities has suddenly become vote shopping?

If a legislator facilitates a road, is it vote shopping?

If a governor attracts a federal institution, is it vote shopping?

If an opposition politician commissions projects months before an election, do they also call that vote shopping?

The standard must be consistent.

They further argued that branding projects removes accountability.

On the contrary.

When the public knows who facilitated a project, they know who to question if there are concerns about quality, distribution or implementation.

Transparency does not diminish accountability, it strengthens it.

Now let us address the most important point.

Their write up unknowingly highlights Chief Ikenna Ukwa’s greatest strength.

He is not yet a Member of the House of Representatives.

He does not currently possess the constitutional powers, privileges or influence that come with that office.

Yet, according to their own admission, he has already played a role in attracting development to communities.

Think about that for a moment.

If someone who is not yet in the National Assembly can facilitate projects that benefit the people, imagine what he could achieve with the authority, access and legislative platform of a sitting Member of the House of Representatives.

Imagine the number of federal projects that could come to Arochukwu and Ohafia.

Imagine more schools.

Imagine more healthcare facilities.

Imagine more roads.

Imagine more electrification projects.

Imagine more opportunities for our youths.

That is the conversation we should be having.

Because representation is not about occupying a seat in Abuja.

It is about using that seat to open doors for the people.

If Chief Ikenna Ukwa has demonstrated the initiative to attract development before holding office, many people will naturally see that as an indication of what he could accomplish if entrusted with the mandate of the people.

That is not something to condemn.

That is leadership capacity.

So, rather than asking the public to ignore every project because it came through a government agency, perhaps the better question should be,

Who among those seeking the people’s votes has shown the capacity, commitment and network to ensure Arochukwu and Ohafia are not left behind?

At the end of the day, the people are wise enough to distinguish between facilitating government projects and claiming personal ownership of them.

And they are equally wise enough to recognize that attracting development to a constituency is not a scandal.

It is exactly what leadership is supposed to do.

 

My name is

Hon chief chidiebere uwagwu kalu

Awum onye ohafia

Nmiri Abali ohafia LGA