2027: Bishop Okoronkwo Unveils Abia North Senate Campaign Council, Pledges 80% of earnings to Empowerment

A senatorial aspirant for Abia North Senatorial District, Bishop Ike Bishop Okoronkwo (IBO), has unveiled his campaign organisation, campaign council and legislative agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to commit 80 per cent of his earnings to empowerment programmes aimed at improving the welfare of his constituents.

Okoronkwo made the declaration on Monday at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Secretariat in Umuahia, Abia State, during the unveiling ceremony themed “O Zuola, Zukwanu Ike! Enough Is Enough — Let’s Take Back Abia North!”

Addressing party leaders, stakeholders, members of the press and supporters, the senatorial aspirant said his ambition was driven by the need for improved representation and tangible development across the five local government areas of Abia North.

He argued that political representation should be measured by its impact on people’s lives, economic opportunities created and development delivered, rather than political titles, years in office or campaign promises.

“I am not seeking election into the Senate simply because I believe it is my turn. I am seeking the mandate because I believe we can do better,” he said.

Okoronkwo explained that his proposed legislative agenda would focus on education, prosperity, agriculture and women’s inclusion, as well as infrastructure, with an emphasis on accountability and measurable outcomes.

As part of his proposed economic empowerment programme, tagged ABIA NORTH ARISE, an acronym for Agribusiness, Resilient Enterprises, Innovation and Sustainable Employment, Okoronkwo pledged to dedicate 80 per cent of his eligible personal Senate earnings and income to empowerment initiatives, subject to applicable laws and a transparent accountability framework.

He said the initiative would target entrepreneurs, artisans, traders, graduates and small-business owners through competitive grants, business training, mentoring, equipment support and improved access to markets.

The aspirant also set a four-year target of supporting 5,000 people into enterprise and mobilising 10,000 job and livelihood opportunities.

According to him, the programme would focus on creating sustainable economic opportunities rather than distributing money during election seasons.

He added that he would pursue legislation and budgetary provisions to support enterprise development while advocating transparent beneficiary selection and effective monitoring of empowerment programmes

On agriculture, Okoronkwo said Abia North had significant agricultural potential that could be better harnessed through improved access to finance, modern farming techniques, processing facilities, storage, transportation and reliable markets.

He disclosed that his team had begun discussions with prospective development partners to explore agricultural investment, enterprise development and women’s economic empowerment opportunities.

He listed Norfund, FMO, Proparco, DEG, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, TechnoServe, AGRA and the Gates Foundation among the organisations involved in the engagements.

The aspirant said his ambition was to work towards mobilising at least $5 million in eligible agricultural and enterprise investment across the district.

He, however, clarified that the discussions were ongoing and that any funding would depend on project viability, due diligence and approval by the relevant partners.

Okoronkwo said he would also advocate policies to strengthen farmers’ cooperatives, improve agricultural productivity, promote value-added processing and expand women’s access to economic opportunities.

He urged young people to view agriculture as a viable business capable of generating wealth and employment rather than a last resort.

On infrastructure, the ADC aspirant pledged to pursue legislative interventions, lobby for federal budgetary allocations and advocate the rehabilitation of priority roads across Abia North, particularly in Ohafia, Abam, Isuikwuato and Acha.

He said improved road networks were essential to connecting farmers to markets, facilitating trade and expanding economic opportunities in rural communities.

On electricity, he promised to engage relevant institutions, including the Rural Electrification Agency and electricity distribution companies, to explore grid extensions, mini-grids and renewable-energy solutions for underserved communities.

He said the proposed interventions would prioritise rural communities, markets, schools, health facilities and agro-processing centres.

Acknowledging the constitutional limitations of a senator’s office, Okoronkwo said effective representation required using legislative powers, budgetary processes, advocacy and oversight to push projects forward and ensure accountability for approved funds.

The senatorial aspirant also used the occasion to question the impact of years of political leadership on the living conditions of residents in Abia North.

Referring to former Abia State Governor and incumbent Abia North senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, Okoronkwo said public officeholders should be subjected to scrutiny based on their performance and the tangible benefits delivered to their constituents.

He acknowledged the importance of respecting the Senate and its members but maintained that such respect should not prevent citizens from asking questions about performance and demanding better results.

Citing the 2022 National Bureau of Statistics Multidimensional Poverty Index, he stated that approximately 28.8 per cent of the population in Abia North experienced multidimensional poverty.

He also expressed concern over erosion, poor road conditions, educational challenges and the economic difficulties confronting residents in parts of the district.

According to him, the challenges underscore the need for a different approach to representation, with greater emphasis on measurable development outcomes.

“I am not entering this race to trade insults with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu or any other politician. I am entering this race to offer a better alternative,” he said.

Okoronkwo maintained that Abia North needed representation that prioritised economic opportunities, functioning infrastructure, quality education and sustainable prosperity.

He promised to champion development-oriented legislation, publish progress reports and advocate closer scrutiny of public expenditure and development projects.

At the event, Okoronkwo unveiled members of his campaign council, describing them as committed individuals expected to work towards advancing his vision for the district.

The council, as announced, includes:

Director-General: Ugochukwu Uwaeke

Deputy Director-General: Major Kalu Agwu (Rtd.)

Director of Finance: Barr. Reginald Nwaokocha

Director of Operations: Chief Orji Awa Kalu

Director of Stakeholders Engagement: Mazi Ejiofor Ezeani

Director of Support Groups and Special Groups: Nwaobi Victoria Oby

Women Leader: Blessing Williams

Youth Leader: Chukwudi Ogbunde

Director of Media: Nneka Torti

Special Adviser on Branding and Communication: Prince Udensi

Special Adviser on Strategy and Special Duties: Chigo Udensi

Special Adviser on Security and Mandate Protection: Okey Udenyi

The announced local government coordinators are Hon. Uwakwe Okereke (DCC Rtd.) for Arochukwu; Igwe Amos Onyekachi for Isuikwuato; Hon. Prince Okwara Ukwa Agwu for Ohafia; Hon. Chigozie K. Igbo for Umunneochi; and Ikechukwu Eze for Bende.

He urged youths, women, professionals, traders, farmers and community leaders to join the campaign, stressing that the movement would be built around a shared commitment to development rather than individual interests.

In his concluding remarks, Okoronkwo said he would not promise to solve every problem facing Abia North but would work to advance the interests of the district through legislation, advocacy, strategic partnerships and oversight.

He said his proposed representation would focus on creating opportunities for farmers, businesses, women and young people while ensuring that public resources and development partnerships produced tangible benefits.

The aspirant called on residents to move beyond personality-driven politics and embrace what he described as performance-driven leadership.

Speaking at the unveiling of the IBO Campaign Organisation,DG Ugochukwu Uwaeke expressed confidence in the candidate’s chances of victory, assuring supporters that the campaign would focus on presenting the candidate’s vision, policies and agenda to the people.

He emphasised that the campaign would be driven by issue-based engagements, with a commitment to reaching communities across Abia North and convincing voters through the candidate’s plans and proposed solutions to the challenges facing the people.

Uwaeke expressed optimism that, with the collective efforts of the campaign team and the support of the electorate, Ike Bishop Okoronkwo would emerge victorious at the polls.