Steve Oko
In this interview, Hon. Chukwudi Apugo, the member representing Umuahia East constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly bares his mind on many topical issues including the Abia Charter of Equity generating tension across the state. He also explains why he will not be seeking re-election, and what may happen if the South-East is denied presidency in 2023.
It is another political season, how are you getting set for 2023?
I want to formally announce to my constituents – the good people of Umuahia East State constituency that I won’t be seeking re-election in 2023. I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to serve them in this capacity for close to eight years now. I’m satisfied. I need to give way so that the younger ones will also grow.
Are you not too young to be talking of bowing out or are you complying with any zoning arrangement?
I just decided to give way for others to come on board and contribute their quota towards the development of our place. Some of the people we have in places of authority want to stay tight on their seat. But I have the fear of God. I have consulted God and he told me it’s time to leave. So, I have no choice than to obey God because if you work against God’s purpose for your life, you will crash.
So, my decision to bow out after my current tenure has nothing to do with zoning. It’s one thing to zone and another is to comply with the zoning arrangement. My predecessor stayed for 12 years on the seat but I will only be staying for eight years by next year. I have every opportunity to also stay for 12 years but I won’t go against God.
We have four electoral wards in the constituency, and three of them have already endorsed me for the third tenure. They came here Tuesday with the communique and told me they were going to buy form for me to re-contest but I broke the news to them that I would not be seeking re-election. Immediately, the atmosphere changed. Some of them started crying but I was the one consoling them. The reason for their cry is based on the positive impacts I have made in their lives.
So, it has nothing to do with zoning. After staying for eight years in an office, why won’t you leave so that another person can come up? Why try to perpetuate yourself in office? Is it your father’s house? Why can’t you go and try something else? The bane of our country is that many people in politics do not have second address. That’s why we have a lot of corruption in the system.
What will be your next political outing?
I don’t know where God is taking me to for now.
How will you advise your successor?
First, I want the person to allow God to guide him or her. The person should ask God for wisdom because in politics you see ups and downs, and you need to know how to manage people. I would want my successor to have the fear of God. The person should not be a ruler but a leader. That’s the secret of success in politics.
What can you say are your major achievements and challenges?
I don’t think it’s proper for me to begin to reel out my achievements on the pages of newspapers like commercial politicians.
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