… Owerri senatorial candidate tours zone
By Ori Martins
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) seems to have gained momentum in Imo State as its senatorial candidate for Owerri Zone in the 2027 National Assembly elections, Engr Uchenna Daniel Ofoegbu, has embarked on an appreciation tour of the area.
His first port of call was the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency. Ofoegbu visited Ahiazu Local Government Area just as the venue of his reception was located at the heart of Nnaramba, Ahiara.
Ahiara is so dear to both Mbaise and the entire Igbo Nation. This is so because the importance of strategically located Ahiara Junction which serves as a socioeconomic as well religious cum political hub of Mbaise cannot be overemphasized. From Ahiara Junction one can easily find his way to any part of the state: East, West, North or South.
Furthermore, the Ahiara Technical College which has been preparing students for greater technical and technological is situated at this all important town.
Agian, the headquarters of the Mbaise Catholic Church otherwise known as Catholic Diocese of Ahiara Mbaise is beautifully located at Ahiara. Moreover, it was at Ahiara that General Odumegwu Ojukwu rendered the historic script of Ahiara Declaration, a document that remarkably captured the essence of Biafra Republic.
Therefore, touching down at Nnaramba in Ahiazu LGA, Ofoegbu sufficiently and instantly felt the nostalgic sweet breeze in memory of great Ahiazu and Ezinihitte wards who contributed in no small measures towards Mbaise’s greatness.
In a minute of gratitude and respect, and in silence, he recalled Mbaise iconic leaders from Ahiazu and Ezinihitte like Pius Nwoga, Donatus Nwoga, Innocent Nwoga, N. D. Ukah, F. U. Anyanwu, Anthony Anyanwu, Isdore Obasi, Donatus Onu, P. C. Onuoha, Joe Ndu; D. N. Abii, Rowland Ogbonna, BSC Nzenwa, and few others, who at different periods were legendary pathfinders.
In his opening address, the ADC LGA chairman, Prince (Dr) Ibeabuchi Anyanwu Obolobo, commended Ofoegbu for coming to appreciate the people of the area. He assured that Ahiazu would massively vote for him.
The ADC apex leader of the council, Chief BCD Ugwuibe noted that the people of Ahiazu were solidly behind the party’s 2027 senatorial candidate, Ofoegbu. “Our people will line – up to vote for you and you will emerge victorious”, he stated.
In their remarks, both the ADC House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates, Engr Rex Okoro and Comrade Chibuike Maduike, were full of praises for Ofoegbu for identifying with the people of Ahiazu. Both noted that victory for themselves and Ofoegbu in January would guarantee a victory for His Excellency, The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON, KSC, in November 2027.
In his response, Ofoegbu, humble, amiable and visionary, commended ADC members for coming out in their numbers to give him a colourful welcome.
He noted that he was in the area to thank the people, felicitate with them and to appreciate them for their support. He added that a vote for him is a vote for progress, prosperity and development in all the LGAs in Owerri Zone. Ofoegbu called on the people to vote ADC in January in order to guarantee the victory of Ihedioha in November, 2027.
At the Ezinihitte LGA angle of the visit, the ADC LGA chairman, Comrade Modestus Chijioke Njoku, welcomed the people, thanking them for their support, urging them to remain steadfast with the party and all its candidates.
The apex leader of Ezinihitte, The Rt Hon Oliver Enwenerem, loudly appealed to the audience to vote massively for Ofoegbu, Okoro and the house of assembly candidate in the 2027 elections so to make Ihedioha’s governorship election in November of the same year easier.
An erstwhile LGA chairperson, Chief (Mrs) Gertrude Iroeme reassured that Ezinihitte would vote accordingly for ADC’s candidates, including Ofoegbu, Okoro and the house of assembly standard bearer.
On his part, Chief Magnus Chilaka said all the ADC candidates for senate, federal house and house of assembly were men of capacity, courage and character, calling on members of the party to vote for them for good of democracy.
Ofoegbu, flanked by Ahiazu LGA ADC leaders during an appreciation tour recently.
The Ahiazu/Ezinihitte LGAs visit by Ofoegbu was colourful and exciting as the ADC senatorial candidate once more assured he would explore legislative means to cause critical positive changes in not just in the two LGAs but Owerri Zone as a whole.
The party faithful that came out to welcome their senatorial candidate to Aboh Mbaise on Friday, June 19,2026, was unprecedented and intimidating. Ofoegbu was at Ngor Okpala before his tour of Aboh Mbaise – both LGAs are in one federal constituency.
The Aboh Mbaise/ Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency is intricately a historic, symbolic and significant bloc that influences election result not just in Owerri Zone but Imo State as a whole. The two LGAs are densely populated.
As it has been stated on various accounts in the past, Ngor Okpala as a local government, remarkably houses the biggest Federal Government’s project in Imo State – the magnificent Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.
Again, Ngor Okpala, exceptionally, is the only local council in Imo that has boundaries with two oil producing states: Abia and Rivers states. It is also a food basket enclave inview of its fertile, huge landmass.
The Local Government Area is equally home to the legendary Nnanna Ukaegbu who was the brains behind private universities in Nigeria with his groundbreaking Imo Technical University.
And the largely successful musical group, the Oriental Brothera International Band, was founded and led by Ngor Okpala wards – Ferdinand Dansatch Opara (the founder) and Godwin Kabaka Okpara (the first band leader). Even that highly gifted female footballer, Perpetua Nkwocha, one of the best in the world during her era, hails from Ngor Okpala.
With this rich and encouraging background, the 2027 ADC senatorial candidate for Imo East, i Ofoegbu, spoke to Ngor Okpala party members with dignity, love and respect when he visited on June 19, 2026, on an appreciation tour.
“I am here to thank you for all your support during our great party’s Owerri Zone senate primary election. You voted for me massively and today I came to thank you.
“I am very much aware that it’s not time for rallies or campaigns and I didn’t come here to campaign. However, let me urge you to continue your support for ADC, we shall triumph”, he told the audience.
Welcoming the ADC leaders, the LGA party chairman, Sir Emeka Chidi Amajirionwu, commended them for their resilience, urging them to work harder until Ofoegbu is elected a senator in January 2027.
A prominent ADC leader, Chief Henry Ekpe said Ngor Okpala will continue its support for ADC until victory is assured for Ofoegbu and all the other candidates.
The vice national chairman who doubles as the South East Zonal chairman, Sir Bon Unachukwu, praised Ngor Okpala ADC leaders, asking them not to relent.
At the Aboh Mbaise end of the visit, Ofoegbu was humbled when he was greeted by about 3000 ADC leaders who thronged to receive him.
“I am really humbled by this large number of our great party men and women drawn from the LGA executive, ward leaders, chapter coordinators and booth agents. This is marvelous. This confirms that the Aboh Mbaise 65,000 votes in the previous governorship elections is not a fluke. We shall repeat it in 2027 and all ADC candidates will emerge victorious”.
The Aboh Mbaise LGA party chairman, Chief Jonathan Onyeneke reassured Ofoegbu that he would get the vote of the people and commended him for his steadfastness.
Presenting Ofoegbu to Aboh Mbaise people, Enwenerem describes him as “An experienced virgin politician. He is immaculate and he is poised to work”.
The chief host, His Excellency, The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON, KSC, lauded the Aboh Mbaise LGA party chairman and his executive for their commendable job in building the party, urging them to continue holding the party together for the battle ahead.
Two great Mbaise sons, Chief S. O. S. Echendu and Chief Alozie Aguwa, were among the guests while High Chief Okay Amadi, the 2027 Owerri Federal Constituency ADC candidate as well as Aboh Mbaise State Constituency candidate, Barr Ifeanyi Okereafo, also observed the occasion.
The occasions confirmed that ADC has taken off in full in Imo State.