He arrived at the political scene, suddenly, in 2011, after a dozen years as a Banker, rising to the position of an Assistant General Manager, before being appointed Commissioner for Finance, in the Government of Imo State.
He carved a niche for himself, by bringing his experience to bear, in the discharge of his duties. And after about 40 months on the saddle, he voluntarily resigned to answer the clarion call of his people to represent them.
Hon. Chike Okafor, PhD, got the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and eventually won the election, to represent the good people of Ehime Mbano, Ihitte Uboma and Obowo Federal Constituency in House of Representatives.
You can say anything about his time in office, but can never say he did not deliver on his mandate. He started his vocal and active representation on his first day, in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, not just by seconding the nomination of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara as speaker, but also being his returning officer in that election. That action didn’t go down well, with certain powers that be, and he has been made to face the music, ever since.
Hon. Chike Okafor has never really had the good measure poured into his lap, rather, he has been a fighter, literally having to engage hydra headed forces, to secure every victory he has got, on his way back to the Green Chambers.
In 2019, when he was strategizing for a principal position, his victory was snatched away, in a judicial coup that remains inexplicable. He suffered worse betrayal in 2023, and again lost the golden chance of being a presiding officer, as zoned to the southeast.
It is rather ironic that forces that derailed his aspirations later claim he has taken his turn. In a geopolitical zone where people advocate the return of people like Enyinnaya Abaribe to the Senate, for a 6th term, for laying claims experience, those who understand National Assembly works, should support Legislator with a proven track record, to get a better deal, in the National Assembly.
Hon. Chike Okafor hosts an annual Free and comprehensive Medical outreach, which includes thousands of surgical procedures, for his constituents, in the three Local Government Areas he represents.
He has consistently paid WAEC enrolment fees for students across the constituency, annual, and some beneficiaries get scholarships to the University.
Hon. Chike Okafor has built over a dozen Cottage Hospitals, as well as renovating over 80 Primary Healthcare centres, across Imo State, while he was Chairman, Committee on Healthcare Services, in the House of Representatives.
He has built and renovated numerous schools and WAEC halls, and assisted tertiary institutions in the constituency to get accreditation.
He has sponsored impactful bills and motions and has continued to partner with donor agencies to combat Malnutrition and food insecurity, whilst making effort to enrol more constituents in Health insurance schemes.
Legislative business is not like an executive position where one gets into office and can award contracts, or initiate programmes and policies at will. It is not a place for political contractors and should remain so.
It seems the forces against Chike Okafor are afraid that he is upwardly mobile, and want to do anything to try to stop him.
All well meaning Imo people, nay Okigwe South people should join hands to ensure that a lighted torch of a generation is not put out, in a bid to assuage ego and fulfill wanton desires.