By Eberechukwu
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The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has recorded another significant breakthrough in its grassroots mobilisation across Okigwe Zone as stakeholders and community leaders in Umuderim/Atonerim and Amakohia, Ihitte-Uboma, endorsed its three leading candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The two communities on Wednesday declared their readiness to deliver a “3 Over 3” victory for Attorney Charles Onyirimba, Bishop Sir Chima Ekurume and High Chief Raymond Ohaekelem.
At separate community engagements, residents, political stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers rallied behind the trio, describing their joint political ambition as an opportunity to break with the old order and establish a new culture of representation defined by competence, accountability, independence and measurable development.
The endorsements also reinforced the campaign’s central message that the future of Okigwe Zone must be determined by the people’s informed choices rather than political godfatherism, financial inducements or recycled promises.
At Umuderim/Atonerim, Prince Victor Ibeh set the tone with an emphatic declaration of support for the three candidates, describing their joint electoral project as “3 Over 3”: Onyirimba for the Senate, Ekurume for the Okigwe South Federal Constituency and Ohaekelem for the Ihitte-Uboma State Constituency. He expressed confidence in their electoral prospects and called for a united community effort to secure victory.
The Chief Strategist, Hon. Ferdinand Ogor, challenged the electorate to examine the credentials, character and records of those seeking their mandate, insisting that political representation should be earned through demonstrated capacity and commitment to public service.
Ogor, who disclosed that his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a deliberate decision informed by the need for a new political direction, argued that the people could no longer afford to recycle political choices that had failed to translate into meaningful improvements in their lives.
He recalled what he described as the injustice surrounding Onyirimba’s previous electoral victory, alleging that his mandate was denied him. He warned that any attempt to undermine the people’s choice in 2027 would encounter determined democratic resistance.
Ogor also criticised what he described as the commercialisation of political representation, insisting that public office must not become a vehicle for personal enrichment at the expense of constituents.
Highlighting Onyirimba’s development vision, the chief strategist said his international exposure and connections would be deployed to attract Diaspora investment, create employment opportunities, stimulate economic activities and empower young people. He maintained that the candidate’s independence from political godfathers would enable him to serve the people without undue external influence.
At Amakohia, another former APC member, Chief Hyman Okoroafor, reinforced the call for political change with an account of his political journey from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in search of a better alternative. He said his experience had been disappointing, likening continued support for a political platform that had failed to deliver to repeatedly taking medication that could not cure an illness.
He urged the electorate not to keep making the same political choices while expecting different outcomes. Presenting Onyirimba, Ekurume and Ohaekelem as credible alternatives, he described their decision to work together as an opportunity for a fresh beginning for the zone.
Okoroafor further urged voters to embrace the ADP platform and remain vigilant in protecting their votes, stressing that the candidates’ ultimate accountability should be to the electorate rather than powerful political interests.
The Director-General of the Onyirimba campaign, Mrs. Favour Nwelue, popularly known as Ada Okigwe, delivered a strong message on leadership, accountability and the future of the younger generation at the two engagements.
She challenged the electorate to assess the performance of successive administrations, particularly in electricity, water supply, healthcare, roads, employment and general welfare. She questioned the justification for seeking renewed mandates when communities continued to grapple with poverty, unemployment and inadequate infrastructure.
Using the illustration of someone who had remained under the scorching sun for too long, she observed that such a person would need little persuasion to appreciate the importance of finding shelter. She maintained that Ndi Okigwe had endured enough political disappointments and should be ready to embrace a different political direction.
Mrs. Nwelue cautioned voters against exchanging their conscience and future for temporary financial inducements, arguing that accepting money in exchange for a four-year mandate amounted to mortgaging the future of their children.
“We do not need rulers anymore; we need leaders,” she declared, stressing that public office should be defined by service, responsibility and tangible contributions to the people’s welfare.
She also advocated inclusive leadership, noting that sustainable development required collective participation, shared opportunities and a genuine commitment to the common good.
Reinforcing the message of change, Okoroafor described his mission as taking the gospel of peace and a new political direction to communities that had endured considerable economic hardship. He cited inflation, the high cost of living, poor roads and inadequate electricity as pressing challenges confronting households in Ihitte-Uboma.
Recalling Atonerim’s previous political support for the APC, he alleged that the community had not received the expected benefits and questioned the wisdom of rewarding political platforms that had failed to meet their expectations.
He specifically identified the deplorable road network and inadequate electricity supply as issues requiring urgent attention. He disclosed that the trio of Onyirimba, Ekurume and Ohaekelem was committed to pursuing improved electricity infrastructure, including harnessing power station at Abueke, as part of efforts to address the area’s power challenges.
At Amakohia, Chief Calistus Anowi expressed confidence in the candidates’ eventual success and assured them of sustained community mobilisation. He emphasised that victory must be achieved through peaceful engagement, persuasion and the ability to convince more people, rather than intimidation or violence.
Mr Clemens Chukwuemeka also urged residents to examine the candidates’ character and message. Although he acknowledged that he had not personally met them, he said the positive accounts presented at the gathering had strengthened his confidence in their capacity and intentions.
The Amakohia Ward Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to the political project, calling for peace, unity and cooperation among members and supporters. He expressed confidence that a united political front would translate into electoral success.
Both engagements featured prayers for the candidates’ protection and success, while participants pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation, promote the ADP platform and protect the people’s votes.
The twin endorsements underscore an emerging political determination in the two communities: to demand more accountable representation and reject the politics of empty promises and personal patronage.
As the “3 Over 3” message gathers grassroots momentum in Ihitte-Uboma, the ADP campaign is positioning the alliance of Onyirimba, Ekurume and Ohaekelem as a coordinated political alternative for Okigwe Zone. The people pledged to sustain mobilisation, wider voter acceptance and electoral victory in 2027.
