Nkeiru Onyejeocha Is Miles Ahead of Her Contemporaries in the Race ~ Ekeleme Onyedika
There is an Igbo adage: “Mgbe nwaanyi luru di abuo ka o ji amara nke ka nma” — When a woman marries two husbands, she knows which one is better.
This proverb emphasises perspective, experience, and critical comparison. It suggests that people often don’t fully appreciate what they have until they experience an alternative. That’s the situation in Isiukwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency today.
These perspectives aim to inform Isiukwato/Umunneochi constituents about 2027, allowing them to compare the past with the present and see why quality representation matters. The goal is not to bore readers but to present facts clearly so they can make informed decisions on election day.
The 2027 race for Isiukwato/Umunneochi’s House of Representatives seat follows the 2023 election, which saw Hon. Amobi Ogah defeat the incumbent, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha. Since then, constituents have questioned how they arrived at their current situation and what their future holds if representation remains unchanged.
Amobi Ogah appears unprepared for the role. His claimed empowerment programs—Keke, Okada, and market-grinder support for traders—have failed to translate into sustainable progress. He has built markets that drew media attention, but he has few tangible legislative achievements to show after three years. The broader empowerment push is questionable, especially as a government ban on Okada undermines its usefulness.
Given this performance, re-election for Amobi Ogah is hard to justify.
The author also questions recent attacks on former Minister of Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, by biased bloggers. There are indications of efforts to deter her from contesting in 2027, despite her record of service and leadership in Isiukwato/Umunneochi.
Onyejeocha leveraged her role to create employment opportunities and launched charity initiatives even before holding other offices.
She helped reduce WAEC fees for parents and supported scholarships, which boosted education and discipline among students in government schools. Infrastructure-wise, she prioritized roads connecting Isiukwato and Umunneochi.
Her medical outreach saved lives over the years. Bills she sponsored include the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act (2017), the Anti-Torture Act (2017), the National Senior Citizens Centre Act (2018), and Local Government financial autonomy, among others.
These achievements contrast with the current representative’s record, which the author argues is insufficient. It is unreasonable to use the length of time in the Green Chamber as a campaign measure against Onyejeocha; the facts show Amobi Ogah has not matched or surpassed her record.
Barr. Nkiruka Onyejeocha is not on the same level as Amobi Ogah, and there should be no false equivalence. However, in the spirit of fairness, it is important to compare their performance honestly.
One good turn deserves another: Nkiruka Onyejeocha will not be deterred from reclaiming her mandate in 2027. Constituents who benefited from her results-oriented representation are ready to vote her back in to continue the impactful work, which has been lacking since the 2023 setback linked to the Obi wave.
As the incumbent faced the wave’s effects and delivered-looking but underwhelming representation, there is a renewed call for the right leadership with practical, effective legislative ideas to reclaim Isiukwato/Umunneochi’s leadership.
