Okpoko Rejects the Past, Backs Sir Akwuobi for Assembly Seat

By Polycarp Ifeanyi

Residents of Okpoko Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have passed a vote of confidence in the sitting Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government, Hon. Sir Kenneth Akwuobi.

The community stated that it cannot afford to “go back to Egypt”—a metaphor for the era of poor representation under past elected officials and unanimously declared its support for Hon. Sir Akwuobi’s aspiration to represent them in the State House of Assembly.

The declaration was made during an event at which Sir Akwuobi officially announced his intention to contest for the State House of Assembly seat representing Ogbaru I Constituency.

The event took place at Okpoko Community Primary School 3 and was attended by the President-General of Okpoko, market leaders from across Ogbaru Local Government Area, stakeholders in Okpoko, all ward councillors in Okpoko, ward chairmen and executives from the six wards in the community, and APGA stalwarts, including various women leaders, among others.

Other dignitaries in attendance included the APGA Chairman and Secretary in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Pastor Onochie Obiora and Hon. Chimezie Osigwe; a former member of the State House of Assembly who represented Okpoko in Ogbaru I Constituency, Hon. Linus Ezenwamma; former Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government, Chief Emeka Asonya; former liaison officer in Ogbaru I Constituency, Hon. Ojiuba Unogu; Ogbaru Federal House of Representatives aspirant, Hon. Zeribe Ezeanuna; Chief David Chukwuekezie; the President-General of Ogbaru Main Market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu; and others.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Hon. Linus Ezenwamma, remarked that the gathering was convened to welcome the Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government, Sir Kenneth Akwuobi, whom he described as a proud son of Okpoko.

He urged the community to listen attentively as Sir Akwuobi addressed them on his intention to contest for the State House of Assembly seat for Ogbaru I Constituency in the forthcoming general election.

Addressing the Okpoko Community, Sir Akwuobi expressed his immense pleasure at the large turnout of residents. He stated that his account of achievements was not exaggerated and encouraged the people to verify his claims independently.

“When I became the Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government, I swore before God, who brought me into office, that I would change the narrative and mindset of our people about leadership, especially elected leadership. I also promised to reposition Ogbaru to reflect standards obtainable in other local governments,” he said.

The Mayor disclosed that prior to his administration, Ogbaru Local Government had no permanent legislative building. According to him, his administration constructed and fully furnished a befitting legislative complex to strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots.

He further explained that most structures within the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat, including the traditional rulers’ building, had been destroyed by hoodlums during a period of unrest. In response, his administration constructed a new and befitting traditional rulers’ complex, describing it as symbolic recognition of the revered status of traditional institutions as custodians of culture and moral authority.

Sir Akwuobi also revealed that the local government previously lacked a functional administrative block, as the former structure had been burnt down. To address this, he initiated the construction of a new two-storey administrative building, deliberately designed with modern conveniences and gender-sensitive facilities, particularly for female staff.

Additional interventions by his administration include the renovation of dilapidated offices and furniture within the secretariat,covering the Deputy Mayor’s office, Heads of Departments’ offices, and other workspaces,the construction of a modern local government signpost, and the provision of a solar-powered borehole to ensure a sustainable water supply.

Beyond the secretariat, the Mayor emphasized that his administration deliberately.