By Izunna Okafor, Awka
As part of his consistent grassroots political engagement and commitment to inclusive governance, a stalwart of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebenator Ward, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon. Obinna Emecheta (Ifeomadiniru), has celebrated the resounding re-election victory of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, with party faithfuls and members of his community through an empowerment and appreciation gathering.
Hon. Emecheta, who is also a former Deputy Chairman of Nnewi South, described the victory as not only a triumph for APGA but a renewed mandate for purposeful governance, infrastructural development and people-oriented leadership in Anambra State.
The event, which held at the Ebenator Civic Centre in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, attracted party stakeholders, 23-man ward executives, women groups and some other community members. While the gathering featured a special commendation session by the Host, where he hailed the people of the community for turning out en masse to re-elect the Governor; still in the spirit of the celebration, the commendation was also complemented with empowerment items, including bags of rice and cash support, distributed to the participants by the Host, with over 50 beneficiaries smiling and rejoicing home at the end.
Speaking in an interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, on the inspiration behind the gesture, Hon. Emecheta, a critical stakeholder of the party in Ebenator and Nnewi South Local Government Area at large, explained that the programme was organized primarily to thank the ward executives and party faithful for their commitment and resilience during the just-concluded November 8 governorship and senatorial bye-elections which were both overwhelmingly swept by APGA.
He noted that the celebration was not only about politics but also about giving back to the people, especially the indigent women, in line with the party’s guiding principle of inclusiveness and shared prosperity. According to him, the empowerment was aimed at ensuring that the joy of the Yuletide season cuts across all segments of society, particularly those who needed the support the most.
In his words, he said that beyond celebrating victory, the outreach was also to ensure that the APGA slogan of “Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya” — leaving no one behind is practically reflected at the grassroots level, and not just as a campaign slogan.
Hon. Emecheta revealed that the empowerment exercise was deliberately tied to the festive season in order to cushion the economic pressures facing many families and to reassure them that the government and the party remain attentive to their needs.
While addressing the beneficiaries and party members, Hon. Emecheta emphasized the need for unity, peace, and sustained support for the Soludo-led administration. He reminded the people that the same unity and solidarity that delivered Governor Soludo during the elections must be preserved to attract more development to Ebenator and its environs.
He reassured the people that Governor Soludo and his Deputy are fully committed to delivering quality dividends of democracy across Anambra State, including Ebenator, while also urging the community to remain steadfast and supportive as the administration continues to execute its development agenda.
Hon. Emecheta also used the opportunity to officially congratulate Governor Soludo and Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim on their landslide victory, describing it as a clear endorsement of visionary leadership, security restoration, infrastructure revolution and economic reforms currently ongoing in the state.
Reacting to concerns of voter apathy, especially as Anambra State prepares ahead of the 2026 local government elections scheduled for August next year by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), Hon. Emecheta called on the people of Ebenator to sustain their political participation. He noted that fluctuations in voting strength between past elections in the state and the recent elections indicate the need for renewed civic consciousness.
He emphasized that sustained political participation remains the only way Ebenator can consistently secure its rightful place and influence in the political structure of the state, urging residents to continue engaging and being active, both as electorates, stakeholders and political actors.
While commending the developmental strides of the Soludo administration so far, Hon. Emecheta also drew the attention of the state government to some pressing challenges in Ebenator. He particularly appealed for urgent intervention on the erosion menace ravaging parts of the community, which he described as not only a death trap, but also as a major environmental and economic threat to the peaceful town.
He also called for government’s support in the rehabilitation, fencing and equipping of the community’s primary and secondary schools to restore Ebenator’s past status as a hub of quality education, noting that education remains the foundation of long-term development.
In addition, he appealed for increased government presence in the community through the completion and equipping of the community’s abandoned hospital, the primary healthcare centre, among other modern community facilities, which he said would not only enhance living standards but strategically position Ebenator as a central development corridor.
Hon. Emecheta further highlighted the strategic location of Ebenator as a vital link between Ukpor and Mbanese axis, stressing that this geographical confluence places the community in a strong position to serve as a commercial and developmental hub if properly supported.
He also appealed for the rehabilitation of the bridge linking Umuonyeukpa and other key parts of Ebenator, as well as the completion of the abandoned bridge connecting Ebenator and Ukpor. He further called for urgent rehabilitation of the major roads linking Ebenator and Ukpor from different access points to boost mobility, trade and security.
While reaffirming his loyalty and that of the community to the present administration, Hon. Emecheta assured Governor Soludo and his Deputy of the continued support of the people of Ebenator in advancing the development vision of the state.
He further used the platform to call on Ndi Ebenator who reside outside the state to return home during the coming Christmas season to witness firsthand the level of development and security transformation in Anambra State. According to him, insecurity, which was one of the factors that kept many indigenes away in the past, has been significantly tackled under the present administration. He therefore urged them to take advantage of the yuletide season to reconnect with home, experience the improved security atmosphere and enjoy the benefits of the Soludo-led governance.
The well-attended event also witnessed the presence of key APGA stakeholders and the 23-man ward executive, including the APGA Ward Chairman, Hon. Kajetan Anyika; the APGA Ward Woman Leader, Mrs. Anyakee; as well as other party leaders and supporters who, in their separate reactions, commended Hon. Emecheta for his consistency, loyalty and people-centered leadership.
The beneficiaries also joined voice to extol the magnanimity of Hon. Emecheta, especially for still returning to thank and empower them even when the election is already over and the winner already emerged with a landslide margin.
In her reactions, one of the beneficiaries said: “This is how politics should be. People should always remember and acknowledge those who helped or supported them in their political mission. You don’t just use, dump and forget them like that, which is what many politicians do these days. So, you need to show your supporters some sense of belonging appreciation, because tomorrow, you’ll still need them.
“And I like what Hon. Emecheta has done for us today, despite the fact that he was not the person who contested the election, he still came back to appreciate us, because there was a time he came here to seek out votes for the Governor. May God bless him richly and reward him abundantly in Jesus name, amen.”
More photos from the event:
