SUPPORT GROUP BACKS TINUBU, LAMENTS NDDC NEGLECT OF UKWA WEST, DEMANDS NWANKWO’S APPOINTMENT TO BOARD

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.