CHUKA UBAH
There are very strong indications that key Igbo stakeholders in Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 2 may have dropped Hon. Barrister Okey Joe Onuakalusi of the Labour Party, now seeking re-election under the ADC, in favour of Prince Nixon Okwara of the APC for the House of Representatives seat in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that this development followed a comprehensive meeting of Igbo stakeholders held recently, where Prince Nixon Okwara was unanimously endorsed as the preferred candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.
During the meeting, the stakeholders spoke frankly and claimed that the constituency has had little to show since Hon. Okey-Joe assumed the seat.
They argued that critical infrastructure and social needs remain largely unaddressed across the wards.
Some stakeholders however, sympathized with the incumbent, noting that his poor performance could be linked to being a member of an opposition party rather than the ruling party, which they said limits access to projects and federal attention.
The stakeholders observed that Hon. Okey-Joe’s record so far includes the installation of solar streetlights and a few empowerment programmes in select areas.
Major challenges such as flooding, poor drainage, education, healthcare, and youth unemployment, they said, were not adequately tackled under his tenure.
Another major factor the stakeholders weighed was party platform. Prince Okwara is a member of the APC, the ruling party at both the Lagos State and federal levels, while Okey-Joe is seeking to return to the House on the ADC ticket, with uncertainty still surrounding the ADC’s internal crisis and ballot status.
Given the political realities, the stakeholders said it would be safer and more strategic for Ndigbo to align with the ruling party.
They noted that Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 2 is prominently populated by Igbo residents, alongside members of other ethnic groups who have also endorsed Okwara for the seat.
The stakeholders praised Prince Okwara as passionate, committed and deeply connected to the grassroots. They described him as accessible and responsive to community needs, with a track record of executing projects in his private capacity before seeking elective office.
Okwara, in accepting the endorsement, acknowledged the constituency’s ecological and infrastructure challenges, including perennial flooding, poor roads, inadequate waste management, and rising youth unemployment. He promised not to disappoint if nominated and elected to represent the people.
To drive the campaign, Okwara appointed Chief Monday Akunna as campaign coordinator. Stakeholders at the meeting pledged both moral and financial support to ensure a robust mobilization across all wards.
The campaign has adopted the slogan “PNO” – Prince Nixon Okwara – with the response “In God we trust”.
Prince Okwara’s candidacy has sparked excitement within the constituency, with his agenda focused on job creation, infrastructure renewal, education, and healthcare delivery. Supporters say his surprise entry has energized the race, with Ndigbo already mobilizing for voter registration and fresh APC membership drives in the area.
Prince Nixon Okwara has been described as a detribalized Nigerian who does not promote ethnic division. Okwara has also earned support from other ethnic groups in the constituency.
Chief Monday Akunna urged all Igbo brothers and sisters to unite behind him, insisting that his community-driven approach and political platform give him the best chance to deliver.