I want to bring my constituency closer to government – Iyioku

Finecountry Iyioku, a barrister and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the Abia State House of Assembly to represent Isiala-Ngwa South State Constituency, has said his motivation was to give his people quality representation and to ensure that through his inputs the people of his constituency would no longer be far from government.

Speaking with BusinessDay, Iyioku said in line with the motto of his party ‘Putting Our People First,’ that his motivation to represent his people was altruistic and never self-serving.

Fine, as he is fondly called by his friends and well-wishers, said: “It is difficult to convince people that one means well when one aspires to any political office because of the way some people have tented it. The recent issue of delegates and the story of inducements that attended the conventions of some of the parties seem to be conveying a wrong message to our people.

“I am in this race for the good of my people. Our people have lacked quality representation over the years. Year-in-year-out it appears we have nobody in the House. Issues that affect our people are not being brought to the fore. It is high time we changed that negative narrative, hence the pursuit for ‘Mandate of Clarity 2023.’”

According to him, “It is a mandate of clarity because we have a clear thought about what we are going to do in the House. If you are not convinced about a mission, it is unlikely something positive would come out of that mission. But when you are as definite as I am about my mission, my people will rejoice at the end of the day. It is not about Finecountry; it is about the people of my constituency that have over the years borne the brunt of neglect and deprivation, even though they have been having representatives all these years.”

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Asked if the platform he has chosen would help him to realise the mandate at the election, the legal practitioner said that the Nigerian electorate no longer votes on the basis of party, but on individual’s capacity and competence.

“Days were when success in elections in Nigeria were determined by what party you belonged. Today, I must tell you, Nigerians are becoming more politically enlightened than they were even in 2019. It is now what you can do as an individual. It is about what the people think you can do; who they think you are. It is about competence; it is about capability. 2023 will shock many people,” he said.

Iyioku is an accomplished legal practitioner with over 20 years post-call experience in active legal practice.

Speaking on his competence and resume, he said: “I am not an ‘Arm Chair’ lawyer. My professional practice cuts across litigation, corporate practice and legal consultancy.

I am a legislative consultant to some state legislatures. I have distinguished myself through robust practice and engagement on legal issues.”

He holds a Masters Degree in Law with bias for Constitutional Law.

As a Certified Draftman, Iyioku said he is bringing competence, integrity, credibility, experience and legislative finesse into “the task of law making in Abia State House of Assembly.”