By Petrus Obi
Different headlines have been used by various media houses and online platforms about the turnaround that has returned Hon Chima Obieze to the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Some had captioned it ‘A Twist’, others ‘Surprise,’ but I have decided to use, the ‘Return of Obieze,’ for so many reasons which may not be exhausted in this report.
For starters, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos sacked Hon. Udefuna Chukwudi of the Labour Party member representing Ezeagu Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly for not being able to meet the constitutional requirements.
The appellate court declared Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP winner of the March 18th election.Obieze had challenged the declaration of Udefuna as the winner of the election on the grounds of invalid nomination; non-qualification and disregard for the 2022 electoral act.
On September 28th, 2023, the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions siting in Enugu state upheld the Labour Party’s candidate, stating that his election followed the electoral act and he had the minimum requirement to contest for the election.
Obieze in his appeal, argued that position of Hon. Justice Adie Attoe led panel on the qualification of the Labour Party’s candidate; Udefuna Chukwudi is not only contrary to the 1999 constitution as amended, it’s also at variance with an existing judgement of the Supreme Court on a similar matter.
The Appeal Court is the last arbiter in this matter, therefore marking the end of litigations and return of the lawmaker to the Enugu House of Assembly.
Why Obieze’s return is remarkable
One, for those who have followed the politics of Enugu, Hon Obieze is one of the youngest actors who has remained vocal, visible, viable, and in touch with the people.
Also, Hon Obieze was among the top candidates penciled down for the position of Speaker in the current Assembly.
Obieze was thus becoming a threat in some quaters. At such a young age he was moving too fast for comfort.
His return marks his third tenure as a legislator, and as a Speaker? That would have raised his stakes; provided more financial muscles, widen his political horizon and empire; and maybe prepared him for something bigger.
There were thus, deliberate attempts to stop his return to the Assembly. This was coming from his own party, the PDP.
The stories surrounding his election and the roles played by some political actors from Ezeagu are better imagined; and would be left for another day.
Initially it appeared they were succeeding following the declaration of the election result by INEC.
Significantly, while Obieze lost at the Election Tribunal, he shockingly spent money to congratulate all PDP candidates that got positive judgement at the tribunals. A rate attribute.
His return is thus, the continuation of a script prepared by destiny. For those who have eyes….
In Reggae Parlance we say “who Jah bless No Man can cause.” And the Appeal Court spoke. And Obieze returns.
