Remove term: Imo Assembly Race: The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Njaba Big 3. Imo Assembly Race: The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Njaba Big 3.
7 min read
The race for the Imo State House of Assembly has begun in preparation for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria. Njaba LGA which is one of the most talked about LGAs in the state is indeed witnessing a declaration of interests by some young politicians who want to join the race to represent the local council at the Imo State House of Assembly.
Currently, Hon Benneth Ozioma Ebonine also known as Ozioma Worship is the one occupying the position in the Imo State House of Assembly. There are three major contenders for the race who are Akalites and none of them is a pretender. Each of them has his strength and weaknesses. Umuaka Times will x-ray those areas for the Njaba voters to examine and make highly informed decisions before casting their votes.
The three major contenders are Chief Charles Ike popularly known as Charlie Ike from Isiozi Akah. Hon. Obinna Orgazi known as Brainbox from Uba Umuaka and the incumbent Chief Ozioma Worship known as Eze Ngwori from Umuele Amazano. Each of these three major contenders has his strength and weaknesses.
Hon Benneth Ozioma Ebonine: The critic of the current member representing Njaba LGA at the Imo State House of Assembly perhaps do not know that he has a lot going well for him. First, he is the incumbent law maker which is a great advantage he has over his fellow aspirants. He also belongs to the ruling party in the state APC. According to some of the youths in Njaba LGA, Ozioma has performed very well. Those who spoke to Umuaka Times confirmed that he had in the last 3 years impacted on the lives of many in the LGA. Umuaka Times gathered that he had built markets, organized football tournaments and sponsored oghufestival over the years. He is also said to have done a lot of charity works including paying the school fees of the four security officials shot dead in July 2023 by yet to be identified gunmen.
By January 2026, Hon Ozioma Worship organized an empowerment program at Central School Umuaka where palliatives and empowerment items were shared to people. Those who benefitted from the empowerment went home with motorcycles, buses and many other items.With the advantage of being in the ruling party and his incumbency, a good number of people in Njaba LGA believes that victory will be a work-over for him considering the factors discussed above.
On the contrary, the critics of the law maker believe that Ozioma cannot achieve his second term ambition considering his attitude to those who helped him to power. It is alleged that the lawmaker some time ago fell apart with those who helped him to climb to power.
Another reason given by his critics is that the famous Eze Ngwori came from the same community that has produced two former house members in the persons of Hon Chima Nnaji and Sir John Unaeze. According to them, Umuaka Municipal Council has 10 autonomous communities and only Umuele cannot be the favoured community to always produce a house member. Another argument against Hon Ozioma Worship is that Umuaka Amazano has at several fora claimed that it does not belong to Umuaka Municipal Council on the argument that Ele is not a biological son of Akah. On the empowerment carried out by the honourable member in January where people went home with buses, motorcycles and more, opponents have continuously pointed out that those who benefitted from the empowerment were either those on his pay-roll or his “political children”.
Another political arrow against the Eze Ngwori by his critics is that his party, APC is a political party that has seriously run the country and the state aground over the years with little or nothing to show for its continued stay in power. Many especially the youths believe that if the honourable will be able to overcome all these challenges, his path is expected to be brighter soon. Till date, Eze Nwori Njaba is still enjoying the massive support of Njaba youths, his fellow party members and perhaps, the support of Senator Hope Uzodimma, the chief occupant of Government House Owerri.
Chief Charles Ike: Popularly known as Charlie Ike, this is an Isiozi Akah born politician and a member of Isiozi Akah Council of Chiefs who has been eying the Imo State House of Assembly for some time now. Last week, Umuaka Times came across a donation platform which was created by his friends and supporters in order to raise funds for him for the actualization of his ambition in 2027. A 1982 graduate of High School Umuaka, Chief Charlie Ike is well known and connected among the high and mighty in Njaba and beyond. Early this year, he hosted his 1982 set classmates in his country home where he had time to talk about what he had been doing as a social worker and philanthropist to the society at large. Umuaka Times gathered that he has been consulting widely in the state by meeting party bigwigs, royal fathers, politicians across board and many community based groups.
Many believe that the American trained Chief Charles Ike will bring his American experience in Njaba if voted in and develop the community. The name of his late dad, Chief Sylvester Nwanelele Ike may as well play a vital role to see him to success. The late Ike in the early 80s brought development in Umuaka by bringing a cinema facility in Umuaka where students of literature at High School Umuaka etc watched Romeo and Juliet, Julius Cesar and other films. Chief Ike was also a former councilor during his time and he played a vital role towards the elevation of the defunct Umuaka Town Development Union.
On the contrary, the critics of Chief Charles Ike claim that he may not possess the qualities needed by the LGA to triumph to success at this present time. Very little is known about his past; some of his critics say that he is not “homemade” claiming that almost everything about him is American. But his supporters do not agree. According to them, Charlie Ike is a traditional chief who has invested a lot in Umuaka and continues to do so. Currently, Ike is building a state of the art hospitality hub in Umuaka where hundreds of jobs are expected to be created when completed. He disclosed to Umuaka Times in a recent interview that he has done a lot of charity and humanitarian works which he did not announce to the public. It is generally believed that Akalites in the United States and UK are solidly behind him and are ready to support him.
A member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, critics also have expressed their reservations over his membership of the APC, the party that has opened the Pandora’s Box across Nigeria. If Charles Ike will build more bridges and identify properly with the locals more, his path to Imo State House of Assembly Complex will be brighter.
Hon. Obinna Orgazi: Obinna Orgazi, an Uba Umuaka born politician, businessman and community development advocate is not a new kid on the chess board of Njaba politics. He had tried it once where he had a massive followership and youthful supporters across Njaba. Obinna Orgazi did not in any way relent in his quest to become a state law maker for Ndi Njaba. From 2019 till date, Orgazi has consistently maintained a highly influential political presence from one political party to another. He has also been supporting students, peasant women, youths and many others in diverse ways.
Always outspoken, frank and fearless, Hon Victor Obinna Orgazi known as Brainbox has really touched lives and donated substantially to the cause of social developments in Umuaka. Despite creating job opportunities in Umuaka, Brainbox is also a lover of culture who has travelled extensively to give his life a more powerful meaning. Being very popular in the state, it is generally believed that his popularity across party lines and affiliations will serve as a catalyst to propel him to achieving his political ambition come 2027. Besides his popularity among the rich and powerful, Brainbox is known among the young and old whom he has touched their lives in one way or another. He has demonstrated that he is indeed someone the community can count on when the time comes.
As many people know and admire the political antics of Hon Obinna Brainbox Orgazi, there are many who also have their reservations on his political moves. Opponents have accused him or flipping from one political party to another and refused to speak when necessary. They cited the temporary closure of Afor Umuaka where many expected him to air his views but he choose to identify with the Njaba LGA authorities by attending the reception organized for the chairman of the local council. His critics also accused him of playing politics of bitterness as the relationship between him and Dr Perry Ekwunazu stopped being cordial after both of them lost the election to Imo House of Assembly in 2019.
Although Orgazi may not have soiled his hands politically, he stands a good chance to brighten his path if he can consult more, address the concerns of his critics and buildup his team effectively. Some stakeholders in Njaba LGA have called on Umuaka Times to organize debates among all the contenders when the time comes but the truth remains, Umuaka Times wishes each of the contenders a big electoral victory.
Umuaka Times uses this medium to remind the contenders to the Imo State House of Assembly of their critical role in strengthening democratic governance through effective lawmaking, oversight, and representation of their constituents. Under the Nigerian Constitution, state lawmakers are empowered to debate, draft, amend, and pass laws affecting various sectors, including education, healthcare, transportation, environmental sanitation, taxation, and local government administration. Bills passed by the Assembly are forwarded to state governors for assent before becoming law.
Political analysts note that legislators also serve as the direct link between the people and government by representing the interests of their constituencies. Their responsibilities include engaging residents, presenting community concerns before the Assembly, and advocating for developmental projects such as roads, schools, healthcare centres, water supply, and rural electrification.
