Iwueze Vita
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, Barr. Emeka Ojure Amadi (Esq.), has urged residents of the area to avoid repeating past political mistakes by voting for candidates based on their track records, competence and contributions to the development of the constituency.
Amadi made the call recently in Owerri while speaking with Arrow News, where he expressed confidence in the PDP’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections, particularly in Oguta LGA.
He criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that the party had failed the people at various levels of government, particularly in Oguta, and maintained that the PDP was strategically positioned to challenge other political parties in the forthcoming elections.
When you look at the political environment, you will notice that PDP is the only party that has continued to make progressive efforts towards victory”.
The PDP chairman noted that the party had credible candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and Imo State House of Assembly, expressing confidence in their ability to secure victory at the polls.
Speaking specifically about the Oguta State Constituency seat, Barr. Ojure Amadi described the PDP candidate, Barr. Vivian Otti, a former chairperson of the Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), as a competent and qualified candidate capable of delivering effective representation.
He argued that the time had come to give women greater opportunities in legislative leadership, describing Otti as a symbol of the change the people of Oguta needed.
She represents the change we want and is, in my opinion, the most qualified among those contesting for the Oguta State Constituency”.
Barr. Amadi also criticized the incumbent APC representative, alleging that the lawmaker had failed to make a meaningful impact during the four years in office.
He expressed optimism that the PDP would win across the various legislative constituencies, beginning with the Senate and House of Representatives seats before proceeding to the State House of Assembly.
On the party’s level of preparedness, the PDP chairman disclosed that the party had established the necessary structures to ensure a successful campaign ahead of the elections.
“We have constituted our campaign council at the local government level, conducted sensitisation exercises and consulted leaders across the board. Above all, we have put our trust in God, who remains the ultimate decider”.
He lamented what he described as years of inadequate political representation in Oguta, arguing that the situation had negatively affected the area’s development and access to government resources, and expressed concern that the Imo State Government had not given Oguta the attention it deserved, despite its status as an oil producing local government area.
“I do not think the government of Imo State is sufficiently aware of the existence of Oguta, let alone recognize that it is an oil producing local government area, which is one of the reasons Imo State benefits from oil producing state status”.
Amadi further alleged that the constituency’s current representation had failed to protect the interests of Oguta’s oil producing communities, particularly in matters relating to the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC).
He claimed that the incumbent lawmaker was among those who supported the appointment of an individual from Oru East as Managing Director of ISOPADEC, alleging that funds meant for oil producing communities had been directed to areas outside the commission’s designated benefiting communities.
According to him, the situation underscores the need for more effective and accountable representation capable of ensuring that Oguta receives its fair share of government resources and development projects.He pledged that, if elected, the PDP’s candidate would prioritize the judicious use of resources accruing to the state from oil production and advocate for their deployment towards the development of Oguta.
He further identified poor road infrastructure, insecurity and youth unemployment as some of the major challenges confronting Oguta LGA, insisting that the area required urgent government intervention.
He maintained that the condition of the roads had hindered movement, economic activities and access to essential services, thereby contributing to the area’s underdevelopment.
“The roads in Oguta require urgent attention. Anyone familiar with the local government area will understand the condition of the road from Ejemekwuru to Agwa, as well as the road from Ogbaku to Calabari Beach and down to Ezi-Orsu. The internal roads in Orsu-Obodo are also impassable”.
The PDP chairman expressed confidence that Otti, if elected, would pursue practical solutions to the area’s infrastructure challenges, citing her experience and proven ability.
Barr Amadi further raised concerns over insecurity in Oguta, noting that the situation had discouraged people from visiting the area and adversely affected economic activities.
According to him, the security challenges confronting the local government area are compounded by poverty, unemployment and the perceived absence of democratic dividends.
“We have a representative who, in our view, should have been speaking more forcefully about these challenges”.
He further stressed that development opportunities capable of creating jobs and improving the livelihoods of young people had not adequately reached the area.
“By the time we get into office, we will look into all these issues. I know that the person we are presenting will not allow the government to rest until Oguta receives the recognition and development it deserves. That is why we are determined to ensure that she gets elected into the State House of Assembly”.
He called on residents of Oguta to take the electoral process seriously and resist attempts by politicians to influence their choices through inducements, and urged eligible voters to ensure they were properly registered, turn out in large numbers on election day and protect their votes.
He reaffirmed his confidence in the PDP, describing the party as the best option for delivering meaningful representation, accountability and sustainable development to the people of Oguta.
