Victor Nwokolo: The Legislator With A Mission -By Gozie Irogboli

Despite the prevalent political atmosphere in Nigeria bestridden by pretenders and self-seeking pettifoggers there are still men of honor and integrity among the rank of our politicians; those who understand the essence of leadership and have refrained from following the multitude to do evil. One of those rare breeds among the political class with sound political philosophy is Rt. Hon. Victor Onyemachi Nwokolo, a member of House of Representatives representing Ika Federal Constituency. Hon. Nwokolo stands out as a shining light and great inspiration to many because of his sterling qualities, leadership styles and numerous accomplishments.

Clearly, writing about people might be a difficult enterprise for the motive of the writer is subject to misinterpretation by others but writing about who one who has achieved success by dint of hard work is important as a guide to the younger generation especially in this era of decadent values where some choose renegades as mentors and models. It is said that a great man is not one who has much material acquisitions but one who conquered adversity to achieve success. And so it is with Rt. Hon. Victor Nwokolo. Having lost his father early in his life, his rise to limelight through adversities that he had to encounter was truly phenomenal and inspirational.

His foray into the Nigerian political arena was as dramatic as his stay has been. Before 2011 when he was elected to represent his people at the National assembly, he was never a politician nor had any intention of joining partisan politics. It was the constant nudging of his people who saw his exemplary conduct and whose lives he had touched positively that compelled him to contest in 2011 National Assembly election. And he won from a relatively unknown political platform – Accord Party. And ever since he has been there giving effective representation to his people. He has made his impact felt having served in many House Committees including: Police Affairs, Banking and Finance, Federal Character, Aviation, Public Procurement, Petroleum Resources (Upstream) among others. Those from his constituency who were there before him – Nduka Irabor, Cairo Ojougboh and Doris Uboh only served one term each but he is currently serving his fourth term. Many attributed this to his stellar performance. And this is true. Coming from Ika land, a people known for their vibrancy, intelligence and egalitarianism, it will therefore require one with subtle and ingenuous mind to be able to effectively represent them.

Talking about ingenuity, Hon. Victor Nwokolo entered the National Assembly with a wealth of experience garnered from both public service and private practice. He is a security expert having worked with the Department of State Security service, a practicing lawyer and a successful business man. He is the archetype of a professional in politics and not a professional politician. A professional politician has no business other than politics and can do anything to remain at the corridors of power at all costs but professionals in politics are individuals who have accomplished success in their chosen careers and are in politics to make a difference. They are the type I regard as assets in our political arena. They don’t have the do-or-die mentality but attitude of service. They are driven by sound political philosophy and ethics. They are people-oriented and performance-driven. And this is where Victor Nwokolo rightly belongs.

Without doubt, Hon. Nwokolo knows why he is in the National assembly. He knows his mandate, his mission and the aspiration of his people. He knows he is there to serve and protect the interest of the people and not for personal aggrandizement. He is not carried away by the glitz and the glamour that comes with public office neither does he crave for attention. He has on many occasions politely turned down the award of chieftaincy titles offered to him. To him, one is not made by awards and titles for they could be distractions or snares in one’s life. What makes a man is the impact he makes on the lives of people around him.

At a recent Town Hall Meeting with members of his constituency which he convened to brief his people about his stewardship, something he does routinely to sensitize the people about their civic responsibilities, he interacted with the people and sought their views on how best to serve them. He believes it is the way forward. He believes that the whole essence of political representation is service to the people and so a good rep must constantly interface with his people as a matter of necessity to know their interests and get their input in the democratic process. Leadership and democracy are about the people and so people’s engagement is the oil that lubricates the entire democratic process. While briefing the people, he charged them to always hold their leaders, including him accountable, noting that public service is about service to the people and so public officers should uphold that which is of general interest. Public servants should uphold justice by doing that which is legally defensible. And when asked about his political future, he opined philosophically, that those (his people) who asked him to come out will decide where goes, that he is a not a do-or-die politician and that in a democracy, the sovereignty is with the people.

As a trained lawyer, he believes firmly in democracy and the rule of law and advocates that everyone who claims to be a democrat should uphold the tenets of democracy. He believes that legislation is a serious business because it provides the basic framework for democratic governance. He stated that the difference between democracy and other forms of government is the Legislature and that a vibrant legislative arm is necessary for the survival and sustenance of genuine democracy.

Apart from Politics and business, Hon. Nwokolo is also a philanthropist who believes in empowering the youth and the vulnerable groups in the society. This is why he is seen by many as an amiable leader with a good heart because he has devoted a considerable part of his personal resources to empowering others within and outside his constituency. From time to time, he has sponsored training, skill acquisition programs and has given financial and material aid to start up businesses in his constituency and beyond. He has awarded scholarship to many indigent students. He believes that giving back to the society is a virtue that every leader should imbibe. To him people’s empowerment and wealth creation is needed to reduce crime and restiveness in our communities. He provided patrol vans to the police to support the fight against crime in the country.

He is a devoted Christian and a firm believer in God. He believes that power belongs to God. He admonished those wielding political power to observe the rules of engagement and do all that is necessary to promote peace and greater good of all.

Undoubtedly, Victor Nwokolo’s story demonstrates that indeed power belongs to God. And on that note, I will advise our politicians to emulate the conduct of people like him; shun violence, win-at-all-costs tendencies and play according to the rules and our nation will be greater for it!

Gozie Irogboli

An economist, a novelist and a public policy analyst

(goziei@yahoo.com)