Hon Chimaobi Sam Atu’s “Thank You Visit”: What are the lessons?

It was Norman Peale who once argued that “the more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have something to be thankful for”. The Member Representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Hon Chimaobi Sam Atu, of the Labor Party, gave meanings to those words when he embarked on a “Thank You Tour” to the 26 wards in his federal constituency between 25th August and 4th of September 2024. The essence of the visit was not to seek votes, but to thank voters for their unwavering support and sacrifices during the February 2023 general elections in which him and other labor party candidates emerged victorious.

During his visit toward 5 Enugu North LGA, Atu maintained that “power belongs to the people” and he had come back to appreciate those who put him in power. A quick takeaway from his speeches in all the wards visited was the fact that in democratic society, the voters decide who governs them. This humble labor party legislator didn’t hesitate a moment to acknowledge that simple fact.

Hon. Atu actions are uncommon among his folks. What is very common is the attitude of politicians to develop short memories after winning an election. Once the victory is secured, the poor voters don’t get to see them until another circle of elections where bags of salt and inferior clothing materials are shared with women who deserve to be happy at their old age. What we had in the past was a situation where lawmakers would configure their phones to receive calls from selected contacts. Some may even argue that such is still the case with some lawmakers and political office holders. Hon Atu, we learnt, takes phone calls from everyone who cares to call.

Expectedly, the tour gave him the opportunity to interact first hand with his constituents. For most of the voters, the idea of a politician coming back to appreciate the voters after an election was unprecedented. In fact, available evidence has shown that no politician in the history of Enugu North and South Federal Constituency ever came back to appreciate the voters who put them in power.

One amazing thing about the tour was the outpouring of commendations he got from stakeholders across party lines. For example, during his visit to ward 4, Enugu North, a former Deputy Speaker who is from a different political divide acknowledged that Hon Atu had shown leadership within the last one year. In Amechi, a chieftain of another political party also took time to appreciate the unwavering commitment of the lawmaker since he assumed office. The story is the same in other wards where people kept pouring encumion on him.

It is safe to therefore conclude that Hon Atu’s political journey to the National Assembly is full of many firsts.

• 1st politician in the history of his constituency and the state to come back to appreciate voters in all the wards.
• First new lawmaker in the history of federal representation in the entire Enugu State to move a motion on the first day of sitting.
• First new lawmaker in the history of his constituency to start the construction of two roads within the first one year.

Sincerely, Rt. Hon. Atu is a school of thought that we should all learn from. Without doubts, Atu has shown capacity and dynamism expected of a young political leader.

Ngwu John writes from Enugu North LGA