By Jude Opara
A journalist turned politician, Simon Ebegbulem says he is confident of securing the ticket to contest the House of Representatives election to represent the Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency, because his people were instrumental to his contesting.
Ebegbulem, who is also a former Commissioner of Trade and Investment in Imo state in an interview with newsmen after returning his nomination and expression of interest forms for the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election added that he also has the blessing of Governor Hope Uzodimma to contest the election.
He further revealed that he decided to go into politics because of the burning desire in him to contribute to the development of his constituency and the people there in.
“Yeah, you know, I’ve been in politics after I left journalism. And as you know, the purpose is actually to assist my people, and to serve my people. Because we cannot just be writing as journalists. And most times we write and write and things are not changing. So sometimes we feel like joining, you know, the system.
“We’re able to have the opportunity to change the narrative. So that’s actually my motivation to politics”.
On how to manage with the huge amount of money needed to finance the election, Ebegbulem said it’s not about money because he is very close to his people, hence the clarion call he got to go into the race.
“No, it’s not about money. It’s about your closeness to the people, the grassroots.
You know, sometimes that is one thing that has actually deceived our people not to join politics. And that’s why the politicians, or the core politicians, and the bourgeoisies are using that to intimidate our people.
“Politics is really not about money. But the thing is that the little opportunity, any little opportunity you have to serve your people, try and be close to the grassroots. And the moment you are close to the grassroots, they will be crying for your elevation.
“And by the time you join them, you join the system, you find out that you really spend less. We have some of these guys who have money and what they can spend one billion to achieve, you can spend just a hundred thousand and move on.
“But I have the people behind me. And my people want me. And that is why I want to represent them.
“Yes, I also have the endorsement of my governor. I’ve been his disciple from day one. And we are part of the programmes of the administration of His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, who has also done very well for the state.
“And that is why some of us are joining this race to also help, to replicate what he’s doing at the state level, at a local level. You know, I believe that it is going to make him proud. And this is what he wants.
“You know, he’s a leader who likes the youth, who wants people at the grassroots to enjoy, who wants development at the grassroots. And he only needs people who are workaholics like him to be able to replicate that in our communities. And that is why I’m here”.
The former media practitioner while weighing in on the type of primary he prefers said; “It doesn’t really matter. You see, when they say consensus, yes, the leaders will always come out and say this is what, how it’s going to be.
And I believe the party sometimes picks consensus in order to avoid a corrupt to primary. So, and if they say direct primaries, it involves all members of the party. So, I don’t really see a difference.
“Because the thing is, adopting consensus just to have a peaceful primary. But you know, direct primary is time-consuming. It’s more expensive and it requires a lot of capital on the intensive for aspirants. So, but I’m not scared of anyone the party decides to use”, he concluded.
