As the 2019 elections closes in, Enugu West Senatorial zone will be amongst the positions that will be keenly contested.
One of the Aspirants for the position currently occupied by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Chief Sir OAU Onyema said he’s not leaving any stone unturned in his bid to unseat the current occupant of the seat under the platform of People Democratic Party (PDP).
In this exclusive chat with journalist101, he bares it all on why he wishes to contest for the Senate and the ONLY condition to support Ike Ekweremadu.
According to him, His people-Udi people called on him to enter the race to represent them for the first time since Independence. “My People, having not been to the senate since over 50 years, in fact since independence”. “There was an agitation that Udi people equally have competent people to represent Enugu West Senatorial zone, thus I was encouraged by my people to go and represent them”.
“I felt at this point when my people has never produced a senator, Awgu, Oji-River, Ezeagu and Aninri has produced a senator 2, 3, 2, 4 times respectively”
It is the turn of Udi to produce a Senator for the zone and I, as a son of Udi, and a loyal party member since 2002 is qualified in all ramifications to represent my People and hoping that our party, the PDP will read in between the line and nominate me as a matter of necessity to represent Udi. At least, for the first time, while my opponent is seeking to go for the fifth time” he said.
When asked what are his chances of getting the party ticket, Mr. Onyema said he’s not perturbed by whatever anyone is doing, that the few leaders of the party in the zone that were among those that went to purchase and present nomination form to his opponent are just a figment of the party. That majority of the people of the zone that will decide are in support of him.
“If I fail to get the ticket of the party in a FREE AND FAIR PRIMARIES, I will go back to my practice despite the fact that even if I win, I will continue to practice”
But If the process is marred with irregularities, we will revisit their actions. I was denied in 2003, 2007 and 2011, all in the interest of the party. I concurred, but I won’t accept it this time around. I will react. I’m an Attorney of the Supreme Court, I will say no and I will demonstrate it,” he added.
Mr Onyema boasted that he have the structure in Enugu West to win the election and should their Party, the PDP, makes a mistake and give their ticket to the wrong person, they will fail.
“Let me tell you, if the PDP makes a mistake in the choice of their candidate, they will fail, this has gone beyond the party membership because for the first time, Enugu State is in the opposition to the federal Government. “ There are other parties in the state that has candidates that can win election waiting for us to make mistake”.
He said that if he has the opportunity, he will talk to Ekweremadu who is his master to step down for him because even the incumbent Governor in 2015 stepped down for Ekweremadu to return to the Senate. That he should quietly step down and bless him having served him judiciously and suffered a lot of persecution because of his loyalty to Ekweremadu.
When asked what he’s going to the Senate to do, he said he’s going to help formulate policies that will bring decorum in our society and security to the responsible citizens of the country. He said he will push “A bill for legalisation of firearms” as this will help improve the security situation of the nation.
“I have 17 bills (Which can be found on www.oauonyema.org) that are people oriented that that I will sponsor in the Senate”. “We are coming prepared because we are coming to serve”
On the possibility of him defecting to another Party, he said that it is not on his table, but if he is treated badly again in the party, he will seat together with his people and discuss for a way forward.
When asked the condition under which he will support Ekweremadu, Barr. Onyema said he can only support the party and by implication the Deputy Senate if he looses to him in a free and fair primary election. “My brother I will not shift ground if I loose under a free and fair primaries, I will not support any other political party.
“You know the reason? it is the same people of Enugu West that are involved in the primaries. So if I loose the primaries, it means they don’t want me and I will go home”
