The impending 2027 general elections has catalyzed political permutations and horse-tradings across the state. With the failed attempt to foist the adoption of Hon. Esther Agwu on the people of Ohaukwu North, it has become imperative to take a dispassionate look at Ohaukwu North state constituency with a view to understanding its peculiarities.
Created in 1999, Ohaukwu North State Constituency is made up of 7 electoral wards and 3 family units: Alioma/Ezekuna or Ezza has Effium Ward 2 and Wigbeke Ward 2. The two Ezza wards have a total of 66 polling units. Uffiom has Effium Ward 1, Wigbeke Ward 1 and Wigbeke Ward 3. The three Uffiom Wards have a total of 29 polling units. Ngbo, like the Ezza, equally has two wards, namely, Ishingbo Ward 2 and Okposhi Ward 1. The two Ngbo Wards have a total of 39 polling units. From the foregoing, the Alioma/Ezekuna or Ezza family unit has the highest voting strength in Ohaukwu North.
The Ezza or Alioma/Ezekuna unit, through Hon. Bernard Uzim, represented Ohaukwu North for two sessions (1999 - 2007). Thereafter, Hon. Vincent Awoke from Ngbo took over and served for a term (2007 - 2011). Hon. Frank Onwe of Uffiom succeeded Awoke and served for two tenures (2011 - 2019). After Onwe, Hon. Chinedu Awo was elected and he served for one term (2019 - 2023).
Due to the crisis that erupted in the old Effium Community and lingered beyond 2023, Ebonyi State Government decided to step down Hon. Chinedu Awo's second term bid to enable him and other stakeholders concentrate and work on Ebonyi State Government Peace Programme for old Effium Community. Hon. Awo was asked to nominate a successor from Ngbo. Awo nominated the incumbent Hon. Esther Agwu, a hard sell, whose political victory came through the eye of the needle. The governor of Ebonyi State, Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, recounted this anecdote before Ohaukwu stakeholders during the 2026 Christmas homage at Oferekpe Agbaja on December 29, 2026!
It suffices that Agwu's colourless tenure which brought Ngbo unit's representation slots of the Ohaukwu North to two slots will end in June 2027. Hence, the intense rebuke that greeted her attempt to secure a mercantile second-term adoption at Unwuogudu-Akpu on 20th April 2026.
As Governor Francis Nwifuru stated, the 2023 arrangement hinged Awo's return to the House of Assembly on the return of peace in the old Effium Community. Consequently, Awo put his whole heart, energy and personal resources on the peace project and worked harder than any other person or group of persons. Evidently, Effium is at peace! Thanksgivings, town union elections, primary elections and voter registration exercises now hold in the respective soils of the new communities created from old Effium! People of old Effium jointly demand political reintegration beginning with the return of the 2027 Ohaukwu North ticket to Chinedu Awo; appointment of Alioma/Ezekuna and Uffiom citizens as coordinators of the two Development Centres, commissioners, etc; the speedy conclusion of the demarcation of geographical boundaries of the new communities; and rehabilitation of war survivors.
The truth is that in Ohaukwu North, Hon. Chinedu Awo represents the leadership craved by all. Awo wears truth and frankness like a robe. He represents a unifier by all ramifications. Awo equally mentors youths in leadership, business and other careers across the divides of Ohaukwu North. His commitment to peace is unparalleled: he chose love instead of hatred, took noticeable steps to re-invent the peace that has returned in the hitherto turbulent hub of the constituency by putting in place an efficient private de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme for the youths of the entire constituency! The result of this is that Hon. Chinedu Awo is the only true leader in Ohaukwu North who can boast of dedicated grateful followers across the three segments of the constituency which are Ezza, Uffiom and Ngbo. His people call him Ike Oha - strength of the people!
A political analyst has this to say: "Peace has a name in our constituency, and it is Hon. Awo Chinedu. Do you remember the sleepless nights? The fear that walked our streets? The long, painful crisis that divided our brothers and sisters? When others ran away, Hon. Awo Chinedu stood firm. He walked into the storm, bridged the gaps, and brought back the quiet laughter to our homes.
"Peace is priceless, and he gave it back to us. Now, the battle is not with weapons, but with our conscience. To ensure the fire of crisis never returns, we must bring back the man who extinguished it."
In conclusion, Hon. Chinedu Awo is the frankincense craved by the entire North. In the battle of conscience which the 2027 primaries has become in Ohaukwu North, the leaders of the Ebonyi State should keep their part of the 2023 agreement by returning Hon Chinedu Awo to Ebonyi State House of Assembly. This is worthy and equitable!
