Mr. Obiora Onyeabo Obi, a businessman and the last son of Senator Onyeabo Obi, is the Labour Party candidate for the Nnewi North/South & Ekwusigo Federal Constituency.  In this interview, Obi talks about his plans for the people of his constituency and Nigeria, if elected into office next year. Excerpts:

By Soni Daniel

Why do you want to leave your business and venture into the murky water of politics?

In my professional experience, I have worked in business, construction, finance and in the ports. I have a degree in Industrial Relations and I am a member of the Governing Council Federal College of Education, Kontagora. I believe that I am of age, experience and maturity. With the extensive experience that I have, it is correct that I offer myself for service to advance the interests of the people of my constituency and of Nigeria.

I think that those who have some experiences to bring to the table, experiences which will help create a better Nigeria, we should all come to the table. Let us work together to make things less murky, more structured and create a mature democracy. Let’s make a difference to the nation.

But you are going to make laws in the National Assembly. How do you hope to empower the people?

Being a lawmaker is a position of great responsibility. The laws we make shape and govern our nation and so they have a direct impact on society both in the short term and in the long term. They shape and govern the nation.

Legislative interests

Obiora Onyeabo Obi

My legislative interests are focused on key needs of my constituency: education, infrastructure – especially the ports, finance and micro-finance, and industrial relations. Given my background and experience both in public service, in ports, in education and in commerce, I have seen and experienced first hand the issues and challenges that we face.

My experience means that I am able to contribute in creating laws that would create an enabling environment for our people to make succeed in business and make money. Laws which will lead to creation of jobs by strengthening our infrastructure and which invest in the education of the young. In a democracy, laws are the ultimate tools of empowerment. Let me give you an example, the Onitsha Inland Port.

My Federal Constituency is one of commerce and industry. If the Onitsha Inland Port is opened, then traders and business people in the South East no longer need to have to go to Lagos (at least 7 hours by road) to clear their containers. Other than the benefits of road decongestion, this would make business for my constituency significantly faster and a lot cheaper, allowing them to re-invest profits for further benefit.

So what difference do you hope to make if elected?

Every person has his or her own experiences and character. For me, I am going into the National Assembly to make a difference from day one. It is my style to have well researched projects. So in all that we will do, I will study and research the areas in order to be sure to make value added contributions. We cannot work based on emotions but rather on facts and analysis.

Anambra is in the hand of another party. Why do you choose to run on the platform of Labour Party?

In the Labour Party our motto is “Forward Ever, Backward Never” and I share in this philosophy. That Anambra is in the hand of another party is of interest but is not my concern. We are in a democracy and democracy by its very point is about choice. Look, in the Second Republic, my father won a landslide on the platform of Nigerian Peoples Party, NPP, when another party was in power.

What I can say is that I believe that the Labour Party platform in Anambra (and in other states) is a valid choice. In Nigeria, we are not the ruling party nor are we the key opposition party. However, our people are clamoring for choices and we are part of that choice.

In fact I am very confident that with the support of God combined with a strong grass roots campaign, I will win the seat under the Labour Party banner.

Are you worried about the influence of money in the current political dispensation and do you have enough to run?

Yes, money is needed to do politics here in Nigeria as in every other democracy. In some instances we see that significant amounts of money are used in trying to influence votes but I believe the people will still decide. As I mentioned above, Nigeria is a young democracy, we don’t yet have the sophisticated tools to move away from the money driven elections but by God’s grace we will get there.

The reality is that even in today, you can spend a lot of money and still lose. I have approached my decision to run with a great sense financial responsibility. In a democracy, elections mean that there can be only one winner from the choice of candidates and others must lose. Those who lose must be able to go back home without financial ruin. Where has the strength of Labour come from? From hard work done in terms of grassroot campaigning. I will continue these efforts during my election campaign. My campaign is not about money but introducing myself and explaining my vision and strategy to the people who are looking for long term improvements which will benefit them and their children.

Do you have political godfather in this election?

Yes.

Who is he?

I have a God-father, who has a son and a Holy Ghost. That is my godfather. With three of them by my side, I am confident that I can win!

What message do you have for your constituency?

First, I am grateful for having been given the ticket to contest the seat for the House of Representatives to represent Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency. Second, I will campaign vigorously so that everyone knows what I stand for and what I am offering in terms of representation. In this way, I promise to give my constituency the information that they need to be able to choose between the candidates.

Thirdly, if I am elected, I will keep my campaign promises and my door will always be open – I am here to serve them and I will do my utmost not to disappoint them.  My message to them is to trust that I am here for them. I am from a family with a name to protect and I will not disappoint them. My promise to them is a bond.