SIR: There is no doubt that he will stand out in the 8th Senate as among the senators to watch. It will not be because he will be returning as a second-termer, no. It will be because of his sheer force of personality, presence of mind, and experience in government, contacts among eminent Nigerians and his rising influence among his people and in the southeast.
Senator Andy Uba representing Anambra South Senatorial zone will be one of the most influential senators as the new dispensation commences on May 29. The 57- year old lawmaker has been returned to the green chamber in Abuja by his people after a fierce contest for the seat.
Though he is described by all who know him as the cheerful giver, considering his gentle mien and reserved, quiet ways, what stands him out the most is his robust performance on the job in his first outing. In fact a good number of his people are in agreement that they never had it so good in the annals of senatorial representation.
In a chamber where so many senators had no motion or bills in all of four years, he sponsored or co-sponsored over 20 motions. Notable among these are: 1) a motion on the sorry plight of casual teachers in Nigeria’s education sector; 2) a motion on the need for investigation into fuel subsidy management; 3) the matter of alarming rate of rejection of NYSC members especially by federal establishments and; 4) a motion for the urgent need to improve the internally generated revenues of the federal government, to mention just a few.
He also sponsored and co-sponsored over a dozen Bills, notable among which are, 1) Bill for an Act to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); 2) a Bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund; 3) a Bill for an Act to amend the Companies Income Tax Act, to name a few.
However, Uba may have been voted back to the senate by his people by the sheer number of projects he was able to render to them in his first term. From the construction of classroom blocks to the provision of street lights, boreholes and skills acquisition support. For instance, about 20 500KVA transformers where distributed to various communities in Anambra State. It is a mark of his rare generous nature that his projects, over 150 in number, are spread across the entire state and not just in his senatorial zone.
Though Uba lived and studied in the United States, he stayed in touch and was committed to the socio-political development in his home state. In 1999 he was head-hunted by the new president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who appointed him a special aide. If the job was a confirmation of his wisdom and resourcefulness, his working as the closest staff of President Obasanjo for eight years speaks a lot about Senator Andy’s trustworthiness, commonsense and mental acuity.
A man of immense compassion and sobriety, he will bring his deep experience and understanding of Nigeria’s politics to bear in the next legislative session. He is a quintessential bridge-builder and as perhaps the most influential ranking Senator from the south-east in the next dispensation, he will represent a huge asset the zone especially at a time like this when Ndigbo are in dire need of men of substance and stature.
- Nnaemeka Ndu
Abuja