MAO OHUABUNWA, former House of Representatives member, who wants to represent Abia North in the Senate in 2015, tells Assistant Politics Editor, DANIEL KANU, the reasons behind his aspiration, among others
MAO OHUABUNWA
A chance meeting with Mao Ohuabunwa, who represented Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, easily gives insight into one that is in firm control of his environment. It also gives clear indication that his constituents may not have taken a wrong decision in sending him to the House where, functioning as the Deputy Leader, he was said to have shone brilliantly.
His stellar performance, TheNiche gathered, accounted for his re-election in 2003 when he became Speaker of Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament.
Ohuabunwa’s admirers and critics are agreed that he is not only well-informed but has the language of delivery. As one that has made good use of the language laboratory, he speaks with great eloquence, perhaps one of the traits that stood him out as leader of the ECOWAS lawmakers.
This, perhaps, informs why he is always ready to respond to any question thrown at him, no matter how controversial.
It was, thus, a chance meeting with “The Great Mao” as some people call him, by our reporter, recently in Isiukwuato, Abia State, at the home country of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd).
Incidentally, the erstwhile lawmaker was rushing out from the “General’s Hill Mansion” for another assignment when he was sighted by TheNiche, and not one to parry questions, he opened up on issues that were quite revealing.
Ohuabunwa was, for instance, quick to confirm what had initially appeared as rumour, that he was positioning himself to take over from Senator Uche Chukwumerije who represents Abia North, the senatorial district where both of them hail from.
“Yes, I am running for the Senate. It is no longer a rumour because it has been made public and everybody is aware of it. My people have asked me to run. I have made enough consultations too and I know I have a great chance, given my legislative experience. I left a good record when I was at the Lower House, and it is too late now to fail my people. We are entering into a new Nigeria from 2015 and I need to be part of the new experience,” he disclosed.
He is optimistic that Nigeria will overcome its present predicament, despite the fears about 2015 and its potential to attract violence.
According to him, “as an individual, one may want to express fear because if what is happening is not properly checked, it will be bad, with elections coming. Definitely, every election period is one to worry about, a period for tension to rise, because there is so much at stake. So I may not really say I have fear, but government should try, to a large extent, to ensure that we reduce the tension, especially the violence in the land. We will overcome.”
Ohuabunwa, a firm believer in the on-going National Conference, stressed that Nigerians must sit down together to discuss the future of their country, in view of the emerging challenges.
On the security challenge in the land, he said the situation has become worrisome, urging all right-thinking individuals to rise up to the challenge and condemn it.
He advised Nigerians to be their brothers’ keeper, rather than the present uncertain situation characterised by killing and maiming of innocent children, women and men by Boko Haram.
“What is happening is condemnable and unacceptable. What are we turning ourselves into? We are human beings that should be our brothers’ keepers; we should protect life with whatever we have. And if some people have resorted to just bombing people, killing and maiming innocent children, killing women and others, without any cause, I think it is not justified. I know that the Almighty God will not let them go free,” said he.
The former lawmaker stressed that the issue on ground requires collective effort by all Nigerians, disagreeing with those thinking that the federal government has not done enough.
His words: “There is no time you can do enough as far as security is concerned. We urge them to do more. But again, it behooves us all as Nigerians, as leaders, as followers to be security-conscious. Security is not one man’s business. We should all get involved and make sure we are secured; Nigeria is secured.”
The politician poured encomia on his state governor, Theodore Orji, who he said has brought political harmony and peace in the state through his all-inclusive style of governance. This, he said, has facilitated accelerated development in the area of infrastructure.
“As a key player and participant, I can honestly tell you that governance in Abia under the leadership of Ochendo, as we call him, has been quite good. We have witnessed massive progress in all sectors. First and foremost, I tell people that I have been part of it and you could see that today the difference is clear. We have political harmony in Abia State. There is political stability, and this, for me, is a foundation for infrastructural development, foundation for growth, foundation for success.
“This is because development will come in a conducive environment. An environment that is not peaceful, no matter how hard you try, development will not come there. Before now, for 12 years, there was no peace in Abia, there was no infrastructural development, there was no economic development, there was nothing good to show; but now, there is calm, peace, as the governor has brought everybody on board, and we now have a kind of consensus government where everybody is carried along. We no longer have the divisive factions – like the Abuja faction, Lagos faction or home faction,” he added.