The Member representing Aguata Federal Constituency in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly, Engr Dominic Okafor, has officially withdrawn from the race for re-election into the House of Representatives.
A statement on Monday from Ojiako Ifeanyi, a legislative aide to Hon Okafor, confirmed this, following speculations over the lawmaker’s political future, which has dominated the social media space.
According to Ojiako, the lawmaker respected the zoning arrangement in his constituency in the interest of peace.
The statement also said the lawmaker’s decision was in keeping with his loyalty and commitment to the unity of his political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
“Engr. Okafor reaffirms his unwavering belief in the supremacy of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and pledges his total support for the party’s collective interest and decisions ahead of the elections.
“The progress, stability, and victory of APGA remain far above personal ambition, and the strength of the party must always take precedence over individual political aspirations,” the statement quotes the lawmaker as saying.
The legislative aide expressed his principal’s profound gratitude to the people of Aguata Federal Constituency for their steadfast support, confidence, and solidarity throughout his time in office, and his unwavering commitment to the development and advancement of the constituency.
He further called on party faithful, supporters, and stakeholders across Aguata to remain united, focused, and committed to securing APGA’s victory at all levels.
“This decision is borne out of deep respect for the party and the need to preserve our collective strength and unity. I remain a loyal party man and will continue to work tirelessly for the success of APGA and the progress of our people,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the statement has been met with applause from netizens, who said the lawmaker made the right decision to back out of the race.
According to the majority of the comments, the lawmaker had performed abysmally in the past three years, plus he had spent in the Green Chambers, and needs to disgrace himself further by standing for the primary.
A netizen, Ohaegbu Nelson Chukwudalu, wrote, “He knows he is going nowhere, and it will be a big shame to him if other contestants coming in for the first time into the contest beat him hands down. The wave from his co-aspirants is too much, and he cannot stand it.”
Another netizen, Uchenna Johnson, penned, “This is what you get when you misuse the opportunity given to you to serve. Hon Okafor had four good years to make his mark; instead, he played to the gallery, resorting to the same old kind of politics that has never benefited the people of Aguata. I give it to him that he is a smart politician because he knows the fate that awaits him, had he stood in for the primary.”
