The quest for political renewal and purposeful representation in Okigwe Zone received another boost as the campaign team of Attorney Charles Onyirimba, ADP Senatorial Candidate for Okigwe Zone, engaged stakeholders and residents of Umuezegwu, Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area, in a consultation meeting aimed at strengthening grassroots support, promoting party unity and mobilising voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the campaign team to share what it described as good news about the emergence of credible ADP candidates and the prospects of a new political direction for Okigwe Zone.

Speaking at the gathering, the Umuezegwu Coordinator, Kekeocha, welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the message brought by the campaign team. Chief JOJ Okoroafor, in his remarks, conveyed confidence in Attorney Onyirimba’s aspiration, expressing optimism that he would emerge as the next Senator representing Okigwe Zone.

The Director-General of the Campaign Council, Mrs Favour Nwelue, popularly known as Ada Okigwe, clarified that the campaign was not exclusively about one individual but a collective movement to secure victory for ADP candidates across the various elective positions. She specifically identified Attorney Charles Onyirimba for Senate, Bishop Sir Chima Ekurume for the House of Representatives and High Chief Raymond Ohaekelem for House of Assembly as key candidates whose victories would strengthen the zone’s representation at the federal and state levels.

Chief Strategist, Ferdinand Ogor, reinforced the message, calling for unity, commitment and collective action among party faithful and supporters.

The Vice Chairman, in his contribution, described Onyirimba, Ekurume and Ohaekelem as credible candidates worthy of the people’s confidence. He urged residents not to be intimidated by political opponents but to come out, vote and defend their votes. He expressed confidence that ADP could produce the Senator, House of Representatives member and House of Assembly member in the forthcoming elections.

Addressing the gathering, the Director-General delivered a passionate message on the need to rescue Okigwe Zone from years of political neglect and underrepresentation. She argued that the zone had suffered because its political rights and opportunities had not been adequately protected by those entrusted with public office.

She identified youth unemployment as one of the most troubling consequences of poor representation, noting that many young graduates and skilled persons had been left without jobs, start-up capital or opportunities to practise their trades. According to her, an idle and frustrated population is more vulnerable to crime, while meaningful employment, productive engagement and economic empowerment can help restore dignity and security.

She challenged political representatives to explain why so many youths remained unemployed while opportunities that should benefit the wider population are reserved for families, associates and political cronies.

“Never again should the people surrender their future to a few privileged individuals. Do not sell your conscience, and do not sell the future of your children,” she cautioned.

Nwelue maintained that the combined representation of Onyirimba, Ekurume and Ohaekelem would make it easier to attract development, opportunities and empowerment to Ihitte-Uboma through effective collaboration across the legislative chambers.

The DG further explained that genuine empowerment should not necessarily be about public ceremonies, photographs and political showmanship. Rather, it should be about quietly creating opportunities, providing support for businesses, investing in skills and helping beneficiaries become economically independent.

She expressed confidence that Onyirimba’s international exposure and extensive Diaspora connections would open doors for investment and development partnerships in Okigwe Zone. She also called for a new leadership culture in which elected representatives see themselves as servants of the people rather than political bosses.

According to her, the objective is to build a society where parents who have sacrificed to educate their children can finally see them become independent, rather than continue struggling to feed and maintain unemployed adult children after graduation.

She assured the gathering that an ADP victory would usher in a new era of opportunities, productive engagement and visible transformation, with particular attention to the welfare and future of young people.

Ada Okigwe appealed to the people of Umuezegwu to support the ADP candidates and encouraged community leaders to ensure that any opportunities and empowerment packages attracted to the area were fairly and responsibly delivered to the intended beneficiaries.

Chief Hyman Okoroafor, the DG of High Chief Raymond Ohaekelem, also spoke, endorsing the need for a different approach to political representation. He recalled the Nwelue’s invitation to the community to participate in a town hall meeting, noting that Attorney Onyirimba had indicated his intention to institutionalise regular town hall engagements with constituents.

He contrasted this proposed approach with what he described as the disconnect between the present political representation and the people, questioning the whereabouts of constituency allocations and the impact of previous promises.

He particularly cited the unfulfilled promise of road construction in Ihitte-Uboma, arguing that the people deserved representatives whose commitments would translate into tangible results.

He expressed confidence that Onyirimba would make a difference and urged residents to embrace ADP as a credible platform for political change. He encouraged them to mobilise their families, neighbours and associates to vote for the party, referencing the party’s bible logo as a point in identifying the it on the ballot paper.

The consultation ended with renewed calls for unity, grassroots mobilisation and unwavering commitment to the ADP project.

The campaign team urged Umuezegwu residents to recognise the 2027 elections as an opportunity to reclaim their political voice, demand accountable representation and secure a better future for the next generation.

The central message was clear: Okigwe Zone needs leaders who will deliver, not bosses who merely occupy political offices. For the people of Umuezegwu, the ADP campaign is presenting the forthcoming election as an opportunity to turn that demand into reality.