Ex-Federal Lawmaker Azubuike Seeks Aba Mandate, Highlights Past Achievements

Former Deputy Speaker, Abia state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike, has urged voters in Aba to base their political choices on candidates’ records of service rather than campaign promises, saying the constituency needs credible representation to protect its interests in the National Assembly.

Addressing Erondu Jnr Mandate Support Group for Abia South, the Elite Grassroot Movement, AGM, among other Pro Groups in Aba North and Aba South recently, the Legal Luminary, described the forthcoming election as an opportunity for the people to secure their future, stressing that decisions made at the ballot box would shape the next four years.

He said his ambition to return to the National Assembly was driven by the need to restore Aba’s voice in federal decision-making and improve access to employment, infrastructure and other development opportunities.

“The mandate I seek is not for personal gain; it is a social contract to give the people of Aba a voice,” he said, urging residents to make sacrifices today to secure a better tomorrow.

To support his appeal, the former lawmaker highlighted what he described as his record of facilitating employment, educational infrastructure and empowerment programmes during his previous public service engagements.

Azubuike said that during his tenure as Commissioner for Agriculture in Abia State, he facilitated employment for 72 people, comprising 50 graduates and 22 non-graduates, through the Agricultural Development Programme. He also claimed to have secured jobs for 25 graduates through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

He further recalled that between 2011 and 2015, when he served in the House of Representatives, he facilitated employment for 139 graduates in the Public Complaints Commission.

According to him, his interventions also extended to federal agencies, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service.

He maintained that his employment initiatives accommodated both indigenes and non-indigenes living in Aba, insisting that public opportunities should benefit the wider community.

The former deputy speaker also cited his contributions to educational development, particularly at Abia State Polytechnic, now known as Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic. He said he facilitated the construction of a classroom block and the institution’s largest auditorium, as well as an Entrepreneurship Development Centre equipped with 120 modern computers.

He also claimed to have facilitated federal scholarships for four beneficiaries to study abroad and supported empowerment initiatives in Uratta Integrated Market, including the provision of 22 cars to beneficiaries.

On infrastructure, Azubuike recalled that he constructed an access road along the Power Line axis leading to Ariaria International Market at a time when traders and residents faced difficulties accessing the commercial hub.

He challenged those who had held public office before and after him to present verifiable records of their achievements, arguing that voters should assess candidates by what they had delivered rather than what they promised to do.

“We should not be fooled again. Let us vote for people based on their precedents and records of service in public offices they have held,” he said.

Azubuike also cautioned against what he described as “emergency politicians,” urging voters to scrutinise candidates’ backgrounds, experience and contributions to the constituency before making their choices.

He further warned against any attempt to subvert the outcome of the election, saying the people of Aba would resist efforts to undermine their votes.

Calling for collective action, he urged supporters to vote for him as well as other APC candidates in the forthcoming 2027 general elections and remain vigilant in protecting their ballots. He maintained that credible representation was essential to restoring the constituency’s influence and advancing its development.

His appeal places employment, educational opportunities, infrastructure and effective representation at the centre of his campaign message, with voters expected to weigh his claims against the records and proposals of other candidates.

Leaders of the Pro Groups at the separate events were; Prince Ukpom Ezenwoke, Pastor Okoro Chibuzor, among others.