REPRESENTATION OR FAMILY AFFAIR? AROCHUKWU/OHAFIA CONSTITUENTS SLAM IBE OKWARA OSONWA OVER ABSENCE AT AUGUST MEETINGS

IS OREJI OUR REPRESENTATIVE OR IBE OKWARA OSONWA?

IS THIS HOW INSENSITIVE IBE OKWARA OSONWA HAS BECOME TO THE PEOPLE OF AROCHUKWU/OHAFIA, ESPECIALLY OUR WOMEN?

One might genuinely begin to ask: WHO EXACTLY IS OUR FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBER?

Throughout the August meetings in Ohafia LGA and Arochukwu LGA, there was reportedly no sign of our so-called Representative. Unfortunately, while the people were expecting the presence of the person they elected to represent them, he was said to have travelled to London to enjoy himself and snap pictures, while sending his elder sister to represent him in some communities.

IS THIS WHAT REPRESENTATION HAS NOW BECOME?

Even when his own community held its August meeting, he was nowhere to be found. Instead, his elder sister was sent again.

One might think he was away on an official assignment. But if he was not on an official assignment, then the people have every right to ask: WHERE IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE WHEN HIS PEOPLE NEED HIM?

The most painful part is boycotting the Amaekpu August Meeting and sending his elder sister again to represent him.

Let us ask the obvious questions:

Why send your elder sister to represent you at every community event?

Is your sister our elected Federal Representative?

Or has the Federal House of Representatives seat now become a family business?

You have no project to boost or campaign with, and yet you continue sending your sister to represent you at community events.

WHY?

Does Ibe not have aides? Does he not have a Legislative Aide? Does he not have a campaign council or other people working with him who can represent him when he is genuinely unavailable?

Why is it always the elder sister?

Why are the people being made to feel that access to their elected representative must pass through a family member?

THE PEOPLE DID NOT ELECT HIS SISTER. THEY ELECTED IBE OKWARA OSONWA.

The mandate belongs to the people of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, not to one family.

If the Representative cannot personally attend every event, nobody is saying he must be physically present everywhere. But there must be a transparent, accountable and recognizable structure of representation. Sending a family member repeatedly raises legitimate questions about the role of his official aides and the manner in which constituency representation is being handled.

And to the people of Arochukwu/Ohafia, especially our women:

WE MUST ASK QUESTIONS.

Who is speaking for us?

Who is listening to us?

Who is attending our community meetings?

Who is accountable to the people?

And most importantly:

WHO EXACTLY ARE WE DEALING WITH — OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE, HIS AIDES, OR HIS FAMILY?

Representation is not about photographs, titles, or sending someone to sit at an event in your place.

REPRESENTATION IS ABOUT PRESENCE.

REPRESENTATION IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

REPRESENTATION IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

The people of Arochukwu/Ohafia deserve to know why their elected Representative is repeatedly absent from important community engagements and why his elder sister appears to be taking his place.

ENOUGH OF THE QUESTIONS. LET THE REPRESENTATIVE ANSWER THE PEOPLE.

IS THIS REPRESENTATION OR A FAMILY AFFAIR?

Comrade Ibe Awa Kalu

Writes from Akanu Ohafia