Umuaka News24

—By Mazi Ike, UPA 1

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I have read with keen interest the piece titled “Why Ezengwori Deserves a Second Term: The Case for Continuity, Consolidation and Greater Service to Njaba.”

I commend the writer for presenting his case with conviction and for reminding us that continuity, experience and stability can be valuable in public leadership.

However, as elders and citizens, we have a responsibility to look beyond political enthusiasm and ask the difficult questions that will help our people make an informed decision.

The question before Njaba should not simply be:

“Should Ezengwori continue?”

The more important question is:

“What has Ezengwori achieved during his first term that gives Njaba sufficient reason to entrust him with another term?”

That is neither an attack nor an expression of opposition. It is a legitimate democratic question.

The article speaks extensively about experience, commitment, accessibility and continuity. These are commendable qualities, but they remain assertions unless supported by a clear record of measurable achievements.

If we are asking our people to support a second term, let us show them the scorecard.

How many motions has he sponsored or supported that directly addressed the needs of Njaba?

What bills or legislative initiatives has he contributed to?

What specific roads, schools, healthcare facilities or community projects can be directly linked to his representation?

How many young people have benefited from empowerment initiatives?

How many scholarships have been awarded?

What employment or economic opportunities have resulted from his interventions?

How much public or constituency funding has been attracted to Njaba, and what is the status of those projects?

These are not hostile questions. They are the questions responsible citizens should ask of every elected representative, regardless of political party or personality.

I have also seen reports of interventions attributed to Ezengwori, including educational assistance, support to individuals and community-related initiatives. These are commendable and should be acknowledged where they are properly documented.

But we must make an important distinction:

Personal philanthropy is not the same thing as legislative performance.

A legislator should be assessed not only by what he personally gives, but also by how effectively he represents his constituency, participates in legislation, advocates for development and uses the powers available to his office to advance the interests of his people.

The argument that “experience matters” is valid.

But experience becomes truly valuable when it produces measurable results.

The argument that “continuity matters” is also valid.

But continuity should be a means of consolidating proven progress, not an end in itself.

If the first term has produced significant achievements, then the best response is not merely to tell the people about them.

Document them. Show them. Let the people see them.

Let us have a proper first-term scorecard.

Let us identify the projects.

Let us identify the beneficiaries.

Let us identify the legislative interventions.

Let us identify what has been completed, what is ongoing and what remains outstanding.

Let us also explain what the second term will achieve that the first term could not.

That is how confidence is built.

That is how political campaigns become conversations about development rather than personalities.

And that is how an elected representative can convincingly say to his people:

“Judge me by what I have done, and give me the opportunity to do more.”

I do not believe that supporting Ezengwori requires us to dismiss other aspirants. Neither should questioning his record be interpreted as hostility towards him.

Njaba belongs to all of us.

Political office is temporary, but the consequences of our political choices can last for generations.

Therefore, let us put Njaba first.

Let us encourage every aspirant to present his or her record, programme, capacity and vision.

Let Ezengwori present his first-term scorecard.

Let his supporters defend that record with evidence.

Let his critics examine it fairly.

And ultimately, let the people decide.

As elders, our responsibility is not to dictate the choice of the people. Our responsibility is to ensure that the people have enough truth, evidence and information to make the right choice.

If Ezengwori has performed, let the evidence speak for him.

If there is more to be done, let him tell us clearly what he intends to do.

If his experience has placed him in a stronger position to deliver, let us see how that experience has translated into results.

Continuity is worthy of consideration when it is backed by performance.

Experience is valuable when it produces results.

And a second term is justified when the people can point to a first term that gives them confidence in the future.

That, in my humble view, is the standard we should apply—not only to Ezengwori, but to every person seeking the mandate of the people of Njaba.

LET THE RECORD SPEAK.

LET THE EVIDENCE BE PRESENTED.

LET NJABA DECIDE.

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