2027: Ukwa Stakeholders Praise Tinubu, APC for Restoring Equity, Rally Behind Sam Nwogu for House of Representative ticket
Stakeholders from Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for equity, justice and fairness in the emergence of Barr. Sam Nwogu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
The groups, including the
Asa Development Union (ADU),New Ukwa Progressive Initiative (NUPI) and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, stated that the House of Representatives seat had been occupied by representatives from Ukwa East for about 20 consecutive years despite an existing understanding on rotational representation between Ukwa East and Ukwa West, a development they said left Ukwa West politically marginalised.
Speaking during a press briefing held on Sunday in Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, the groups expressed appreciation to the APC National Working Committee, led by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and President Tinubu for allowing the principle of equity to prevail during the party’s primaries.
In a communiqué signed by NUPI National Chairman, Dr. Akanwa Franklin, and National Secretary, Felix Chidubem Ambition, the group praised the APC leadership for demonstrating fairness and internal democracy in the conduct of the primaries.
Speaking at the event, the General Secretary of the Asa Development Union, Sir Boniface Nwigwe, thanked the APC National Working Committee and the Progressive Governors Forum for ensuring the emergence of Barr. Sam Nwogu as the party’s flag bearer for Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency.
He described Nwogu’s emergence as the beginning of a new era of hope and joy for the people of Ukwa West, who, according to him, had not produced a member of the House of Representatives in nearly two decades.
“We want to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing on the side of truth, justice and equity in Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency,” he said.
Nwigwe described Nwogu as a tested leader with over 30 years of political experience, highlighting his achievements in public service.
According to him, while serving as a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nwogu facilitated the construction of more than 20 roads across Ukwa communities, executed numerous water projects and other infrastructure.
He added that over 330 students of Ukwa extraction benefited from his WAEC and NECO sponsorship programme, while more than 1,000 persons were trained and empowered during his time at the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC).
He further stated that Nwogu facilitated employment for over 300 people into the Abia State Civil Service and ASOPADEC, provided streetlights in Owaza Community, and has remained widely admired for his simplicity, accessibility and grassroots appeal, qualities he said would guarantee APC’s victory in the constituency.
Also speaking, Dr. Akanwa Franklin, National Chairman of the New Ukwa Progressive Initiative, thanked President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee for their commitment to fairness, justice and internal democracy.
He said the emergence of Barr. Sam Nwogu as the APC House of Representatives candidate and Hon. Prince Paul Ikonne as the party’s candidate for Abia South Senatorial District had restored confidence in the party and renewed the hopes of the people for equitable representation.
Franklin urged the APC leadership to remain steadfast and resist any attempt to reverse the decision through what he described as frivolous and sponsored petitions.
He disclosed that NUPI had earlier written to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, urging him to support equity and fairness in the constituency, noting that Akwete in Ukwa East had produced the House of Representatives member for about 20 years.
According to him, the emergence of Sam Nwogu and Prince Paul Ikonne is consistent with the long-standing charter of equity in Ukwa Federal Constituency and Abia South Senatorial District.
He appealed to the APC leadership to disregard all attempts to undermine the party’s decision, insisting that the people of Ukwa were united and satisfied with the outcome of the primaries.
The Deputy Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ukwa East, Alozie Ken Chijindu, also thanked President Tinubu and the APC leadership for ensuring fairness in the selection of candidates.
He noted that while candidates from Ukwa East had occupied the House of Representatives seat for nearly two decades, the emergence of Barr. Sam Nwogu from Ukwa West had restored a sense of belonging, justice and equity within the constituency.
Chijindu assured the APC candidate of the unwavering support of the people of Ukwa West and praised Nwogu for positively impacting lives through the various positions he had occupied.
Other speakers, including Elder Barr. Henry Goodluck Chilaka, a former Sole Administrator of ASOPADEC, Hon. Eze Dinachi Kalu, Chairman of Asa Think Tank, and Comrade Christian Nwagbara, Asa Youth Representative, also endorsed the emergence of Barr. Sam Nwogu and Hon. Prince Paul Ikonne as the APC candidates for the House of Representatives and Abia South Senatorial District respectively, describing the party’s decision as a victory for equity, justice and inclusive representation.
