LG Poll: Why Akwuobi Should Be Re-elected as Ogbaru LG Mayor — ResidentsBy Polycarp Ifeanyi

Hon. Sir Kenneth Akwuobi

As the Anambra State local government elections approach, residents and stakeholders in Ogbaru Local Government Area have expressed firm support for the re-election of the incumbent Mayor, Hon. Sir Kenneth Akwuobi, for a second term in office.

The residents maintain that within just one year of his administration, Akwuobi has recorded visible achievements and initiated strategic infrastructural projects that have repositioned the local government.

According to them, continuity in leadership is necessary to consolidate ongoing projects and sustain the developmental momentum currently witnessed across the council area.
Sir Kenneth Akwuobi, an indigene of Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, resides in Okpoko, Ogbaru.
Despite not being a native of Ogbaru, he has long been active in the political affairs of the area and has built a reputation as a grassroots mobilizer and administrator at both local and state levels.
His emergence as the substantive Mayor of Ogbaru and the infrastructural renewal under his leadership have generated widespread discussion within and beyond the local government.
Many residents argue that his performance has shifted political conversations in the area from identity-based leadership to performance-based governance.
Speaking with journalists, Hon. Chinedu Uworo, an indigene of Ogbaru, acknowledged that although Akwuobi is not from the local government by origin, his performance has earned him broad acceptance.
“Truth must be told. I have to be objective. I am not a member of APGA, but judging from the visible developments on ground, he is performing well. If you visit the Ogbaru Local Government Headquarters, you will see the transformation for yourself. Leadership should be assessed based on results. If he contests and wins, he should be allowed to complete the projects he has initiated,” Uworo stated.
Uworo further emphasized that governance should transcend indigene-settler sentiments, noting that effective leadership and measurable development should remain the primary considerations for voters.
In the same vein, Hon. Udoka, another stakeholder in the area, argued that Akwuobi’s one-year performance has outpaced that of several past administrations.
“Yes, I will say it clearly. Many previous administrations led by indigenes did not deliver as expected. But within one year, Sir Kenneth Akwuobi has set a new standard. What matters is not where a leader comes from, but what he is able to achieve. He has demonstrated capacity, vision, and commitment. We want him to return and complete the ongoing projects,” he said.
Hon. Ikenna Nwabugwu also commended the mayor’s developmental strides, noting that multiple infrastructure projects are ongoing across various communities in Ogbaru. He stressed that the administration has focused not only on physical structures but also on improving administrative efficiency within the council.
Adding his voice, Chief Sunday Obinze, popularly known as Ogwu-Ego, highlighted specific projects executed under Akwuobi’s leadership. According to him, these include the Traditional Rulers’ Complex, the Legislative Building, and the ongoing Administrative Block at the council headquarters, among other initiatives.
Obinze, who serves as President of the Iyiowa Odekpe Landlords Association, stated that Akwuobi’s leadership has challenged long-standing political assumptions in the area.
“His performance has shown that competent leadership is not defined by origin but by vision and dedication. Even though he is not an indigene of Ogbaru, he has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the development of this local government. Leaders can emerge from anywhere, including Okpoko where he resides, and still deliver effectively,” Obinze said.
He further expressed optimism that a second term would enable the mayor to consolidate his achievements and extend development to more communities, including Nkutaku East of the Niger, where road rehabilitation and other projects have reportedly been undertaken.
Political observers within the area note that the growing support for Akwuobi appears to reflect a broader shift toward performance-driven politics in Ogbaru, as residents increasingly prioritize infrastructural development, administrative reforms, and inclusive governance over traditional political considerations.
As campaigns gradually intensify ahead of the polls, the central question among many voters in Ogbaru appears to be whether continuity under Akwuobi would further advance the developmental trajectory already set in motion.