By Anthony
Kindly share:
Across Okigwe Zone, a new wave of reflection is taking shape. Communities, youth groups, professionals, traditional institutions and development-minded citizens are asking deeper questions about the state of representation and the future direction of the zone. While Okigwe has seen moments of progress over the decades, many people agree that the region now stands at a critical turning point, one defined not by hostility or blame, but by honest reassessment and a shared desire for growth. There is a growing awareness that the challenges facing Okigwe today, economic pressure, insecurity, youth unemployment, technological shifts and weakening infrastructure, require a style of leadership that stays closer to the people, listens more, responds faster and plans more strategically. This conversation is not about rejecting the past, but about understanding it, learning from it and imagining a better path forward.
In this interview, Mazi Ezigwe Donatus spoke with our correspondent and addressed some questions, exploring these issues clearly and constructively, helping the people of Okigwe reflect on what has worked, what has not and what kind of representation may be needed in the years ahead, especially in the Senate, which is the highest office in the zone and one that offers equal advantages to Okigwe as other zones.
Have Okigwe Zone representatives, senators in particular, contributed anything meaningful over the years?
Yes. Over several administrations, Okigwe Zone has benefited from constituency projects, community engagements and occasional federal interventions. Many leaders genuinely tried to serve within the constraints of the political environment, budget limitations and national priorities. Their efforts form part of the zone’s development history and should not be dismissed.
If they tried their best, why is there still dissatisfaction among the people?
Despite contributions, a persistent issue has emerged: a widening disconnect between elected officials and everyday community realities. Many residents across communities, from Umulolo to Obowo, Onuimo to Ihitte/Uboma, feel that leadership has become distant, slow to respond and insufficiently engaged with urgent grassroots challenges.
What are the major signs of this disconnect?
Several patterns make the disconnect clear. Town halls and constituency feedback sessions are non-existent. Many citizens only hear from their representatives during election periods. Young professionals and innovators have limited influence in decision-making. Responses to issues like rural insecurity, unemployment, erosion and poor farm support often come late, in isolated forms or without long-term planning. Also, some projects launched in the past lacked strong local involvement, leading to misaligned priorities or abandoned structures.
Are these problems caused by individuals alone?
Not entirely, even though these Representatives have often shown greedy and selfish tendencies. The challenges are rooted in broader systemic patterns. Representation shaped more by political cycles than continuous engagement. Heavy reliance on federal bureaucracy without aggressive follow-up. A culture that sometimes rewards loyalty over innovation or professional competence. Limited involvement of professionals, youths, and grassroots leaders in shaping policies. These structural issues slow progress across the zone.
Why does Okigwe Zone need a different approach to representation now?
Because the scale and urgency of today’s problems demand a leadership style that is more present, participatory and responsive. While previous models delivered pockets of progress, they no longer match the complexity of current challenges, including economic pressures, youth migration, digital gaps and environmental risks.
What qualities should future representatives embody?
Representation going forward should reflect closer community engagement. Regular listening tours, prompt responses and shared priority-setting with citizens; embracing technology and modern ideas to drive development in farming, education and job creation; frequent updates, open meetings and accessible reporting and proactive lobbying, partnership-building and pushing for greater federal presence.
Does this call for change dismiss the efforts of past and present leaders?
No. The efforts of past representatives deserve acknowledgment. They operated under difficult conditions and delivered what they could. The argument is not about fault but about fit, their contributions do not fully address the depth of today’s challenges or the opportunities emerging for tomorrow.
Why do discussions about representation sometimes cause defensiveness?
In many cases, supporters of current or past representatives become sensitive when issues are raised. However, constructive criticism should be seen as an opportunity to reassess strategies, re-examine priorities and strengthen representation, rather than as an attack.
What is driving the renewed interest in leadership conversations across Okigwe Zone?
A growing number of citizens, community groups and professionals are engaging in deeper conversations about the zone’s development path. They are exploring ideas, evaluating leadership qualities and seeking ways to ensure that representation aligns better with modern realities.
What is the broader message behind these reflections?
This is ultimately a call for renewal. A call for representation that is visible, community-centered and development-driven. It is a call for leaders who hear, see and serve the people more effectively, so that Okigwe Zone can unlock its full potential and compete confidently in a changing world.
Okigwe Zone needs new choices, who can reconnect leadership with the grassroots, prioritise people over politics, and build a development-focused movement that resonates with farmers, youth, traders, professionals, and rural communities alike. That is why kudos must be given to those constituents that have taken it upon themselves to scour the Okigwe landscape looking for a transformative leader to put forward in the next dispensation. The search is bearing fruit and will be unveiled in the next couple weeks. This is not just a political argument. It is a call for renewal, a call for representation, for leadership that hears, sees, and serves.
The result of this search seems to be pointing toward a Diaspora Okigwe man. If he has lived overseas, how much does he really know about local affairs?
It is normal for people to raise such questions whenever a diaspora professional emerges in conversations about leadership. Distance naturally creates doubts. But a fair and convincing way to address the concern is to separate assumptions from realities. Being in the Diaspora does not automatically mean a person lacks interest in Okigwe’s growth. Many Diaspora Okigwe people are surprisingly well-informed because they stay connected through extended family and community networks, even more than most people at home.
