“I Am Igbo, But Development Knows No Tribe — I Am Voting for Moses Olarewaju”

ALAGA360NEWS INTERVIEW

“I Am Igbo, But Development Knows No Tribe — I Am Voting for Moses Olarewaju”

— Clmrade Ikechukwu Edward Osuji

Alaga360News: Ikechukwu, you are openly saying that you are Igbo and that you intend to support Moses Olarewaju for the House of Representatives. Why have you taken this position?

Ikechukwu:
Yes, I am Igbo, and I am proud of my identity. But when it comes to choosing who should represent me, I believe competence, character, accessibility and the capacity to deliver should matter more than ethnicity. I live here, I understand the needs of Amuwo-Odofin and I want a representative who will work for everyone.

For me, development knows no tribe. Whether you are Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, South-South or from any other part of Nigeria, good representation benefits everybody.

Alaga360News: In 2023, Amuwo-Odofin gave Peter Obi of the Labour Party a very strong presidential vote. Are you saying that voters made the wrong choice?

Ikechukwu:
I would not tell anybody that their vote was wrong. Voting is a personal decision. But I think elections should also teach us lessons.

In 2023, many people, including myself, were influenced by sentiments, emotions and the desire for something different. Today, we have the opportunity to ask ourselves a very simple question: what measurable results did those sentiments produce for our immediate community?

The 2023 presidential result in Amuwo-Odofin shows how strongly the electorate voted for Peter Obi at the time. (admin.stears.co) But elections should not permanently bind us to a particular choice. We should continually examine performance, ideas and the people offering themselves for service.

Alaga360News: You used the phrase “we voted out of sentiments.” What exactly do you mean?

Ikechukwu:
I mean that sometimes people vote based on identity, emotion, religion, ethnicity, popularity or anger rather than carefully examining the individual candidate and what that person can realistically deliver.

I believe we should move from sentimental politics to performance-based politics.

If a candidate is good, support him. If another candidate has better ideas, support that person. The colour of somebody’s skin or the tribe written on his birth certificate cannot repair our roads, create jobs, improve healthcare or bring effective representation.

Alaga360News: Why Moses Olarewaju specifically?

Ikechukwu:
What attracts me to Moses Olarewaju is the emphasis on representation and legislation. The House of Representatives is not simply about sharing money or appearing at ceremonies. A federal legislator has responsibilities that include legislation, oversight and representing the interests of constituents.

I want somebody who understands the everyday challenges facing the people of Amuwo-Odofin and who is prepared to take those concerns to Abuja.

My support is therefore based on what I believe he can contribute to representation, not because he belongs to my ethnic group — because he doesn’t.

Alaga360News: Some people may ask: “If you are Igbo, why not support an Igbo candidate?”

Ikechukwu:
That question itself explains part of the problem with Nigerian politics.

I don’t believe political representation should operate like a tribal family meeting. If somebody is qualified, understands my community and can represent my interests effectively, I should be able to support that person irrespective of ethnicity.

If we insist that only our tribesmen should represent us, how do we build a truly Nigerian society?

My identity is Igbo, but my political interest is development.

Alaga360News: What are the issues you want Moses Olarewaju to prioritise if elected?

Ikechukwu:
There are several. Employment and economic opportunities for young people are important. Education, healthcare, security and infrastructure are also critical.

But I would particularly emphasise effective representation and legislative intervention. We need someone who will understand the problems of Amuwo-Odofin, articulate them properly and pursue appropriate federal solutions.

Representation should not end with winning an election. The real work begins after the election.

Alaga360News: Do you think ethnicity should completely disappear from Nigerian politics?

Ikechukwu:
Ethnicity is part of our identity, and there is nothing wrong with being proud of where you come from. The problem begins when ethnicity becomes the only qualification for political support.

I can celebrate being Igbo and still support a Yoruba candidate. A Yoruba person can proudly celebrate being Yoruba and support an Igbo candidate. A Hausa person can support a candidate from the South.

That is what national integration should look like.

Alaga360News: What would you say to people who believe that supporting Moses Olarewaju is simply another political realignment?

Ikechukwu:
I would say people should judge my position by the reasons I have given.

I am not claiming that Moses Olarewaju is perfect. No candidate is. I am saying that, based on what I have seen and heard, I believe he deserves my consideration and support.

And I also believe voters should hold him accountable if he eventually gets elected.

Supporting somebody during an election does not mean giving that person a permanent political blank cheque.

Alaga360News: What is your message to the Igbo community and other ethnic groups living in Amuwo-Odofin?

Ikechukwu:
My message is simple: let us vote as residents of Amuwo-Odofin, not merely as members of ethnic groups.

We all pay taxes. We use the same roads. Our children attend schools within the same environment. We experience the same security challenges and economic pressures.

If development comes, everybody benefits. If the community suffers, everybody feels it.

So let us examine candidates based on their programmes, antecedents, capacity, character and understanding of our needs.

Alaga360News: Finally, if you had one sentence to explain why an Igbo man is supporting Moses Olarewaju, what would you say?

Ikechukwu:
I am Igbo by identity, but I am an Amuwo-Odofin resident by constituency; when it comes to representation, I will choose the candidate I believe can best serve the people — because development knows no tribe