Rt Hon Chinedum Orji


The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji represents Umuahia North Central State Constituency, but for the almost eight years he has been in the House, he has like the octopus spread his tentacles across the State.


Ikwuano LGA is one of LGs where he is as popular as his own constituency. Indeed, no discussion of politics in Ikwuano is complete without his name cropping up positively or negatively


But it is in 2023, when Hon Chinedum Orji, the PDP flagbearer for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ South Federal Constituency would know for sure how Ndi Ikwuano feels about him.


The Federal Constituency seat he is running for comprises three LGAs and due to the informal rotation agreement between the LGAs, Ikwuano and Umuahia South LGAs are not fielding   any candidate in the election, and both would be targets to shop for votes


Ideally, one would have predicted a walk over in Ikwuano for the PDP, Abia's ruling party, but over 20 years of misgovernance and lack of government presence in the LG makes the PDP the party to shun  in Ikwuano come 2023. Enough is enough, the people seems to be saying.  In addition, the strong presence of the APC and the growing ObIdients Movement of the Labour Party creates an impression that the LG would be a zone where only the strongest and swiftest would triumph

Henry Ugwunna


Therefore, the Abia Speaker would be relying more on his personality and strength rather than party structure to deliver the votes for him.


He has lined up scores of foot soldiers knocking on doors marketing him, and on the social media the likes of Henry Ugwunna, a Lagos based Health Worker, victory for the Abia Speaker, popularly called Ikuku oma Abia is non-negotiable. 


Though, he not physically on ground to put his mouth where his heart is, Ugwunna is relentlessly marketing the Abia Speaker on all social media arms where Ndi Ikwuano interacts.Ironically, while the youngman is 100% focused on Ikuku, he is oblivious to other PDP candidates


What is it about Chinedum Orji that you are sticking out your neck for him? Dailyledger.ng.com asked him


"Like want him or hate him, Ikuku Oma Abia has love for youths. He has demonstrated this in many ways, especially through his developmental projects and youth entrepreneurship skill initiatives" Ugwunna replied.


He further adds: "This love is not because he is a PDP member and sitting House Speaker but anchored on his antecedents which are etched on excellent leadership, good governance and people-oriented politics. These and more have endeared him to me especially and  Ndi Ikwuano as a whole


"Engr Chinedum  Orji is a pragmatic politician who has proven to all Ikwuano  people that politics must be evidence based. That means you must meaningfully touch the lives of your constituents through projects. I have seen and I have touched, therefore I believe he is the right person Ndi Ikwuano should vote for. That the message I am spreading and without apologies too", Ugwunna maintained.


On a parting note, Ugwunna says the transformer recently delivered to his community in Ariam-Usaka which has been in darkness for years is like a transfusion which would spurt him to double his efforts for Ikuku