A university lecturer at Abia State University and a worthy son of Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Mr. Chidubem Felix, has rallied support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, while calling for urgent intervention to address what he described as the prolonged neglect of Ukwa West by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Felix made the call during a solidarity gathering held at Community Primary School, Ugwati Asa, Ukwa West LGA, in support of Comrade Enyeribe Odinakachi Nwankwo.

He also appealed to President Tinubu to consider Nwankwo, whom he described as an illustrious son of Ukwa West, a committed grassroots politician and a man with a strong understanding of the needs of the people, for appointment to the NDDC Board.

According to Felix, the call became necessary because of what he described as the inadequate presence and impact of the NDDC in Ukwa West despite the area’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s oil economy.

He lamented that many communities in the local government continue to face infrastructural challenges, including poor roads, inadequate social amenities and other development deficits that, in his view, require greater attention from the interventionist agency.

Felix expressed concern that the people of Ukwa West, particularly those in oil-producing communities, have not received commensurate development despite the area’s contribution to the Niger Delta region and the Nigerian economy.

He alleged that the situation had been worsened by what he described as “invisible hands” from the old Bende bloc influencing the affairs of the NDDC, stressing that such perceived marginalisation should no longer be allowed to continue.

He called for a more equitable approach to the distribution of NDDC projects and opportunities, insisting that oil-producing communities in Ukwa West should have a stronger voice in decisions concerning development projects and representation on the commission.

The university lecturer further argued that the appointment of credible sons and daughters of the area to strategic positions would help bridge the communication gap between the people and government agencies responsible for development interventions.

Felix said Nwankwo’s grassroots experience, understanding of the socio-economic challenges facing Ukwa West and connection with the people made him suitable for consideration for a position on the NDDC Board.

He appealed to President Tinubu to give the request serious consideration, stressing that appointing Nwankwo would not only provide representation for Ukwa West but also strengthen the participation of the people in decisions affecting development in the Niger Delta.

He also urged the people of Ukwa West to remain united and continue to engage government constructively in demanding development, stressing that the region deserved purposeful representation and tangible dividends of democracy.

While expressing support for President Tinubu’s administration, Felix said the people of Ukwa West were looking forward to seeing greater federal presence and more meaningful development interventions in the area.

He appealed to relevant authorities, particularly the NDDC, to prioritise critical infrastructure and other projects capable of improving the living conditions of residents and stimulating economic activities across the local government.

Felix maintained that development in Ukwa West should go beyond political promises, urging government agencies to ensure that projects targeted at oil-producing communities translate into visible and sustainable benefits for the people.

He further called on stakeholders, community leaders and political actors from the area to work together in presenting a united voice on issues affecting the development and political representation of Ukwa West.

The gathering, which attracted supporters and stakeholders from the area, also provided an opportunity for participants to express their views on the need for improved infrastructure, effective representation and greater inclusion of Ukwa West in development programmes.

Felix reiterated his commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at attracting greater attention to the development needs of Ukwa West, while urging President Tinubu and the NDDC leadership to respond positively to the concerns of the people.

The Solidarity Movement for Enyeribe Nwankwo ,a strong political group and structure in Ukwa West has expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and called on him to appoint their son, Comrade Enyeribe Nwankwo Odinakachi, to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.

The Group made the call during a solidarity gathering held at Community Primary School, Ugwati Asa, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, where members also lamented what they described as the prolonged neglect and underdevelopment of Ukwa West despite its status as an oil-producing area.

Speaking at the event, leader of the Solidarity Movement for Enyeribe Nwankwo, Hon. Innocent Chiuwa, thanked President Tinubu and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, for what he described as their commitment to equity and fairness in the distribution of political opportunities.

Chiuwa also commended the recognition of Hon. Samuel Nwogu as the APC flag bearer for the Ukwa West/Ukwa East Federal Constituency, noting that the position had been occupied by Ndoki for about 20 years.

He similarly congratulated Prince Paul Ikonne on his emergence as the APC flag bearer for the Abia South Senatorial District, saying the development would promote equity after Obingwa had occupied the position for about two decades.

The group also congratulated Governor Hope Uzodimma on his appointment as Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chiuwa, however, lamented the poor state of infrastructure in Ukwa West, despite the area’s contribution to the state’s oil economy.

He alleged that the people of Ukwa West had not received sufficient intervention from the NDDC, citing the absence of major infrastructure projects, scholarships, overseas educational opportunities, solar lighting and accessible roads.

He called on President Tinubu to intervene in what the group described as the marginalisation of Ukwa West in the distribution of NDDC projects and to consider appointing Enyeribe Nwankwo to the commission’s board.

Also speaking, former APC Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Elder Uju Nwarie, declared support for President Tinubu, describing him as a leader whose administration deserves the support of the people.

Nwarie appealed to the President to carry their son, Comrade Enyeribe Nwankwo, along in his administration, describing him as a grassroots politician and committed APC supporter who had contributed to strengthening the party in Ukwa West.

He said Ukwa West could experience significant development if Nwankwo was given an opportunity to serve on the NDDC board, urging the President to consider the area in future appointments.

A university lecturer at Abia State University, Chidubem Felix and an illustrious son of Ukwa west also rallied support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election and appealed to the Federal Government to address the a underdevelopment of Ukwa West.

.Felix called for a massive infrastructural upgrade of Ukwa West after years of neglect by the NDDC and urged the President to consider Nwankwo for a position on the Commission’s board

Similarly , Elder Onyekaozuru Nwankwo, elder brother of Comrade Enyeribe Nwankwo, said the people of Ukwa West had suffered significant neglect despite the area’s oil-producing status.

He described his brother as a man of good character who understands the needs of the people and urged President Tinubu to appoint him to the NDDC board, arguing that such an appointment would give the people of Ukwa West stronger representation and create opportunities for meaningful development.

The women’s leader, Chinyere Ogugua, also declared the group’s support for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, saying the people of Ukwa West wanted to be carried along in the Federal Government’s programmes and appointments.

The gathering, organised under the theme and structure of support for Odinakachi Enyeribe Nwankwo, ended with renewed calls for greater political inclusion, equitable representation and increased development of Ukwa West.

The former Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Mr Newman Azuh has congratulated the people of the state on the 35th anniversary of its creation, while commending Governor Alex Otti for what he described as a transformative approach to governance and development.

The former mayor made the statement at his country home in Ogwe Asa, Ukwa West, while interacting with newsmen on the achievements of the Otti administration, his tenure as mayor, developments in Ukwa West and the 2027 general elections.

He described his appointment by Governor Otti as the first Mayor of Ukwa West as one of the greatest honours of his life, noting that the opportunity enabled him to return from the diaspora to serve his people.

According to him, the appointment was a positive signal to Abians at home and in the diaspora, adding that he and other pioneer mayors gave their best in the service of the people.

He commended Governor Otti for changing the narrative of leadership and governance in Abia State, saying Abians across the world are proud of the administration’s achievements.

He said the governor’s administration had recorded notable progress in infrastructure, road construction, electricity, healthcare and education.

“Since the inception of this Government under His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, every Abian, both at home and in the diaspora, is really proud of what he has been able to achieve in changing the narrative about leadership and governance in our state,” he said.

On the development of Ukwa West, an oil-producing local government, the former mayor said more attention was still required because of the peculiar challenges associated with oil-producing communities and decades of neglect.

He, however, commended the administration for initiatives through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), particularly projects in Ukwa West.

He mentioned the construction of the road linking Obehie to Owaza as some of the notable developments in the area, while expressing optimism that more projects would be executed.

“We are very hopeful and positive that, going forward, there will be more things to come to my local government. Because of decades of neglect, there are a lot of facilities and infrastructure that need to be rebuilt,” he said.

Reflecting on his 11-month tenure as mayor, he described the period as challenging but rewarding, saying his administration made visible changes to the local government.

He listed the construction of a new police station, rehabilitation of the High Court and Customary Court, interventions in water supply and efforts to restore electricity in some communities among his administration’s achievements.

According to him, the projects were aimed at improving security, justice, water supply and the general welfare of residents.

“Every Ukwa citizen will testify that we changed the face of our local government for the first time in a long time. If you go there, you will see the physical structures we put in place,” he said.

Speaking on the 2027 elections and his support for Governor Otti’s re-election, the former mayor declared that he was already mobilising support for the governor and the Labour Party at the grassroots.

He said his ward, Ogwe Ward in Ukwa West, remained firmly behind the governor, describing the area as politically secure for Otti’s re-election.

According to him, his political influence extends beyond his immediate community, adding that he and his political associates were actively involved in mobilising support for the Labour Party across the area.

“There is no competition against His Excellency here. This place is secure for four over four,” he declared.

He also disclosed that following the end of his tenure as mayor, he had returned to his private business while remaining active in grassroots political activities.

On his message to Abians as the state marks 35 years since its creation, the former mayor urged residents to remain optimistic about the future of the state under Governor Otti.

Using an aviation analogy, he said Abia was in safe hands under the present administration.

“When you have a good captain on the ship or an aeroplane, you see, it is in automatic mode. I believe strongly that Abia State is in very safe hands and is on autopilot,” he said.

He urged Abians to support the administration, saying the governor’s achievements had raised expectations among the people.
“I tell my fellow Abians to relax because we are cruising at high altitude. There is no stopping us,” he added.