2027 Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West:
Ikunna Steals Show At Ogbako Ohaji Political Dialogue, Gets Constituents Nod
By Onyekachi Eze
The quest for purposeful leadership, equitable representation and a new development direction for the oil-rich Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, and Oru West communities received fresh momentum as Hon. Chief Joseph Chukwuma Ikunna (JCI), the PDP Candidate for the Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in 2027, unveiled an ambitious vision for the constituency.
Ikunna made the commitment during his participation at the Ogbako Ohaji Political Dialogue held at Mgbirichi, Ohaji/Egbema, where he engaged traditional rulers, community elders, political stakeholders and other opinion leaders on the challenges confronting the area and the urgent need for a more responsive system of representation.
The interactive session provided an opportunity for the people to express their concerns over years of perceived marginalisation, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, unemployment and the apparent disconnect between the enormous natural resources of Ohaji and the living conditions of its people.
Trumpeta Newspaper learnt that from Ikunna’s entrance to his speech presentation elicited wild jubilation among the constituents.
Speaking at the gathering, JCI assured the stakeholders that his proposed representation would be anchored on accessibility, accountability, fairness and measurable development, insisting that the people deserve more than political promises and occasional visits from their elected representatives.
He maintained that Ohaji, despite its strategic importance as a major oil-producing hub in Imo State, must no longer remain on the margins of federal development, stressing that the area’s natural wealth should translate into improved living standards, employment opportunities, infrastructure and economic prosperity for its people.
“Ohaji is the heartbeat of our federal constituency. You give Nigeria oil, yet you are confronted with poor roads, limited employment opportunities and inadequate federal presence. This imbalance must be addressed.
“I have not come merely to ask for your support or make political promises. I have come with a commitment to give you effective representation. I will be your voice, your leg and your hand in Abuja.
Under my representation, every community will have a sense of belonging and access to the dividends of democracy.
“My representation will be people-centred, with particular attention to federal projects, youth empowerment, security and the economic advancement of our communities. No part of this constituency will be deliberately sidelined,” Ikunna declared.
One of the defining moments of the dialogue was his position on political equity and the need to guarantee Ohaji and the other communities in the federal constituency a fair opportunity in the leadership structure of the federal constituency.
In what stakeholders would regard as a significant statement on political inclusion, JCI pledged that upon the completion of his tenure in the House of Representatives, he would support and work towards ensuring that an eligible son of Ohaji succeeds him in the National Assembly.
He described the position as a demonstration of his commitment to fairness, brotherhood and a politics that recognises the legitimate aspirations of constituent communities.
According to him, political representation should not become the exclusive preserve of any particular section of the constituency, adding that power rotation, where mutually agreed upon, would strengthen unity, deepen trust and give every community a genuine sense of ownership in the political process.
Beyond the question of political inclusion, Ikunna outlined an economic vision that places industrialisation, local value addition and job creation at the centre of his proposed Restoration Agenda 2027.
Responding to questions on how the natural resources and agricultural potential of Ohaji could be converted into tangible economic benefits, he advocated a deliberate shift from the export of raw materials to local processing, manufacturing, packaging and exportation of finished products.
He explained that the constituency must begin to explore opportunities for attracting reputable industries capable of processing its agricultural produce and natural resources, thereby creating jobs, stimulating local businesses and reducing poverty.
JCI argued that the real value of a resource-rich community lies not merely in what it produces from the ground or harvests from its farms, but in the economic opportunities it creates for its people.
He further assured the gathering that youth empowerment under his proposed representation would go beyond the distribution of temporary relief materials, emphasising skills acquisition, enterprise development, employment facilitation and sustainable economic opportunities.
The Restoration Agenda 2027, he explained, would seek to connect the constituency to opportunities available through relevant federal ministries, agencies and development institutions, while ensuring that community needs remain central to his legislative and constituency interventions.
The Ogbako Ohaji elders and stakeholders expressed appreciation for his engagement and the assurances given, with the gathering providing an avenue for further conversations on the future of Ohaji and its place in the political and economic development of the federal constituency.
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