2027: Forget Party Colours, Vote for Results, Agwu Tells Afikpo/Edda Voters

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

The House of Representatives candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency, Chief Agwu Ama Agwu, has challenged voters in Ebonyi State to prioritize performance, integrity and credible development plans over political party affiliations in the 2027 general elections.

Agwu, a chartered accountant, entrepreneur and business analyst, said voters should not cast their ballots merely because a candidate belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), NDC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party, but should carefully examine what each contender offers and the capacity to deliver on campaign promises.

Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, the NDC candidate maintained that elections should provide an opportunity for citizens to assess leadership, demand accountability and choose representatives capable of addressing their most pressing challenges.

He said the people of Afikpo and Edda deserved representation that would prioritize electricity, potable water, accessible healthcare, functional schools, improved roads and sustainable employment opportunities for young people.

According to him, his decision to contest the House of Representatives seat is driven by what he described as persistent complaints from constituents about inadequate infrastructure, unemployment and the perceived absence of effective representation.

Agwu said his emergence as the NDC candidate was not a personal achievement but a responsibility to the people, whom he described as the ultimate beneficiaries and owners of the democratic mandate.

He expressed gratitude to God, the party’s leadership and members, as well as market women, youths, farmers, students and community elders who, he said, encouraged him to join the race.

The candidate also rejected the suggestion that his ambition was sponsored by powerful political figures in Abakaliki or Abuja, insisting that his primary allegiance would be to the electorate rather than an individual or political group.

“My people are my godfather. I have no one to settle and no cabal to service. My only debt is to the people,” he said, arguing that elected representatives must remain accountable to the citizens whose votes brought them into office.

Agwu pledged that, if elected, he would return to Afikpo and Edda every three months to hold town hall meetings, report on his activities in the National Assembly and listen to constituents’ concerns.

He said the proposed quarterly engagements would provide an opportunity for residents to question him directly, assess his performance and demand explanations on constituency projects, legislative activities and efforts to attract federal interventions.

The NDC candidate further promised to advocate vigorously for electricity, roads, water supply, education and other essential services, with particular emphasis on the Amasiri Power Project, which he identified as a major concern for the constituency.

He said his approach to representation would go beyond distributing food items or small cash gifts during election periods, arguing that the office of a federal lawmaker carries responsibilities in legislation, oversight, budget advocacy and attracting development projects to constituents.

On economic empowerment, Agwu pledged that 1,000 women and youths would benefit from business grants and working tools within his first two years in office. He said the proposed programme would operate transparently and would not be restricted to members of his political party.

He also promised free medical outreaches across the constituency’s 24 wards, scholarships for indigent but academically gifted students, and support for farmers. 

He added that he would pursue the enrolment of 2,000 indigent women and elderly residents in a health insurance programme to improve access to medical services.

On healthcare infrastructure, Agwu said he would seek federal intervention to improve primary healthcare centres in Afikpo and Edda, use his oversight responsibilities to monitor health allocations and explore partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the Niger Delta Development Commission and international donors to equip at least six primary healthcare centres annually.

He maintained that such initiatives would require sustained engagement with relevant federal agencies and development partners, adding that he intended to use his position, if elected, to ensure that the constituency received greater attention in national development programmes.

Explaining why he believes representation has not adequately addressed the needs of the constituency, Agwu identified political godfatherism, the alleged disconnect between elected representatives and their constituents, insufficient understanding of legislative responsibilities, and weak mechanisms for public accountability as factors contributing to the problem.

He argued that representatives who depend heavily on political patrons could face competing obligations that undermine their responsiveness to voters, adding that regular town hall meetings, public reporting and transparent disclosure of constituency projects would help strengthen democratic accountability.

Agwu also urged his opponents to conduct issue-based campaigns, warning that political rivalry should not destroy the longstanding relationships among the people of Afikpo and Edda.

“We are all sons and daughters of Afikpo and Edda who want to serve. This election is not a war. It is a contest of ideas. It is not about who abuses the most, but who has the best plan for our people,” he said.

He challenged other candidates to present verifiable records of their contributions to education, healthcare and youth empowerment, including assistance provided to constituents outside election periods. 

He added that the outcome of the election should not affect the unity of the communities, promising to congratulate and support any opponent chosen by the electorate.

Addressing the wider political situation in Ebonyi State, Agwu said Governor Francis Nwifuru’s performance should be assessed on its merits rather than through party loyalty alone.

He maintained that the governor’s possible second-term bid should be determined by voters’ assessment of his record on infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment, peace and workers’ welfare.

The NDC candidate also expressed reservations about the reported threat to remove local government chairmen who fail to deliver their areas to the APC in the 2027 elections. 

He argued that elected council officials should be assessed on their performance in office and that political disagreements should not be used as a basis for removing them. 

The legal position, he said, should be determined in accordance with the Constitution, applicable state laws and judicial decisions.

Agwu concluded by urging voters to resist inducements and make decisions based on their long-term interests, insisting that the 2027 election should be an opportunity to demand practical solutions rather than another cycle of unfulfilled promises.

“Don’t sell your future for N2,000. Don’t vote because someone ordered you. Vote because your child deserves light to read, your mother deserves a hospital that works and your son deserves a job that pays. Vote for service, vote for integrity and vote for the people,” he said.