BY AUSTIN OYI
As the campaigns for the 2023 general elections begin in the coming weeks, different political gladiators have been positioned for different elective offices. The different political parties have thrown up great personalities who have made waves in different fields of endeavours. Some have been in the political terrain for years but have not made significant impact in the lives of their constituents who continuously stand under the sun and rain to vote for them.
Many make mouthwatering promises but unfortunately fail woefully to deliver an ounce of promises made. Many woo their constituents with bags of salt, rice, bales of clothing, N1000 for pot of soup, and others but as soon as they emerge they abandon them waiting for next election. This has been the regular practice of many in the Nigerian political space. Across states in the country, voters, party members, party agents risk their lives to vote, believing that their lives will be impacted by these men when they eventually emerge but it has never been so. The ruling parties both at the national and state levels have continued to plunder the wealth of Nigerians while the people watch as their wealth is frittered away.
In the case of Delta North, the story is not different. Over the years, the Anioma people have continuously voted but people who receive their votes have continuously swindled them, making sugarcoated promises but all to no avail. Now as we approach the 2023 general elections within the next few months, many have again keyed in, making fabulous promises just to hoodwink the gullible minded, get their votes and disappear after winning. They collect constituency funds, apply less than 40 percent to buy motorcycles, grinding and sewing machines, generators, deep freezers and present to them and they begin singing their praises to the highest heavens. They forget that their lives would have been better but their representatives are thieves. To them, half bread is better than none. And the cycle of bad representation continues every four years.
But in the coming elections, there is an alternative, a paradigm shift from the norm. A significant shift from the old order, a shift from the normal practice where funds are diverted, promises made and not fulfilled, electing men lacking integrity and disgraceful stories littering pages of newspapers. This can no longer continue. Delta North now has an alternative who is prepared to change the narrative for good. Delta North people have suffered enough and it’s time for a change, a change for the good of all. Hence, the emergence of Hon. Ken Kanma, an indigene of Ogwashi Uku in Aniocha South local government area to take over the mantle and change the narrative. Hon. Kanma is running for Delta North Senate on the platform of the Labour Party, a party that is poised to change the lives of Nigerians, drive away the grand fathers who have occupied the seat of power without positive change in the lives of Nigerians.
For Delta Northerners, this is good news. Hon. Ken Kanma is well positioned to open vista of opportunities for the people of the zone. So many persons have occupied this position but it has been used to feather their nest at the detriment of the people of Anioma land. Every year, promises are made, votes are cast in anticipation of better living conditions for the people but it is very disturbing to note that promises have never been fulfilled. Those who attempt to fulfill promises, execute shoddy projects and siphon funds away, boosting their private accounts while the people they represent continue to wallow in penury and hunger.
This narrative is about to change and this is the man prepared for the historic change. Hon. Ken Kanma, an illustrious son of Ogwashi Uku is poised to lead a paradigm shift from the old narrative. According to the motto of the Labour Party, Equality and Social Justice. Hon. Ken Kanma is leading a band against social inequality and injustice. He is set to ensure that what is meant for the people is given to them. A situation where projects are awarded and funds diverted or shoddy projects are executed, hence cannot stand the test of time. The era is gone. He is set to pursue an agenda of inclusiveness and open door policy for all.
Hon. Kanma, a lawyer, knows the right of his constituents and is set to ensure every member of his constituency benefits from projects accruable to the zone. As it is now, Hon. Ken Kanma is the needed alternative to the failures of both the APC and the PDP in the zone. It’s time the two parties give way. The Anioma people must now think beyond party loyalty, party is supreme, an action which has kept the people in perpetual slavery and servitude. This is no longer time of voting parties or voting party is supreme, whether party is failing or not. We must now move beyond that and seek for alternatives that will transform our communities for good. Hon. Ken Kanma is the man and Labour Party is the party which has the future of our families at heart.