The re-election campaign of the Executive Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Caleb Onyema Ani, has taken its ward-to-ward campaign tour to Achara Layout East Ward 6, Mayor Market, Awkunanaw East Ward 8 and Amechi West Ward 2.
The campaign tour was led by the Campaign Directors, Hon. Freedom Nnam and Hon. Paul Ogbe, as part of efforts to mobilise support for Ani’s second-term bid ahead of the September 26 local government election.
The wards visited include areas regarded as the home wards of several prominent Enugu South stakeholders, including Hon. Princess Obianuju Ugwu, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Peter Nnaji, the Senior Special Assistant to the Local Government Council Chairman on Political Matters, Hon. Chijioke Agbo, and Hon. Peter Agbo.
The campaign visits were marked by jubilation and solidarity, as ward members, led by their executives, women groups, youth leaders and elders, came out in large numbers to receive the chairman and his entourage.
Speaking at the various campaign stops, Nnam highlighted what he described as the performance record of the Ani-led administration and solicited votes and support for Ani and other APC candidates for the House of Representatives and House of Assembly.
Nnam described Ani as a tested, trusted and people-oriented leader whose first tenure, according to him, had redefined grassroots governance in Enugu South. He urged residents to consolidate the gains of the administration by returning Ani for a second term.
During the interactive sessions, ward executives and stakeholders commended Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Ani for what they described as the extension of transformational projects to their communities.
Among those who spoke were Kenneth Amalunweze, Esq.; Hon. Chukwuebuka Ezeoha; Hon. Gonna Agbo; Osinachi Udeh; Shanpa Chukwuebuka; Mrs. Uju Obiekwo; Hon. Chinedu Ogbodo; Hon. Chukwu Nonso; Venerable Jerry Igwe; Hon. Friday Ogbodo, host priest at Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw; Ike Odo Nsude; Barr. Chika Ogbe; Mrs. Onyebuchi Ugwu; Peter Nnaji; Prince Joe; and Mr. Osondu Nnaji, among others.
The stakeholders said the synergy between the state and local governments had brought visible development to their communities and pledged their continued loyalty to the administrations.
The community leaders, however, used the opportunity to draw attention to critical areas requiring urgent government intervention in their respective wards.
Residents of Awkunanaw East Ward 8 specifically raised concerns over the deplorable condition of Umueze Street, where they said severe erosion had damaged buildings and properties and forced some affected families to evacuate their homes.
They also appealed for the installation of functional Type-2 Primary Health Centres to improve access to healthcare, construction of Smart Green Schools in line with the state government’s education policy, and accelerated construction and rehabilitation of inner roads, particularly around the Mayor Market axis.
The stakeholders further called for greater inclusion of their people in the administrative affairs of the local government and state, saying this would promote equity and a greater sense of belonging.
Responding to the requests, Ani, alongside the House of Assembly candidates for the rural and urban constituencies, Hon. Princess Obiajulu Ugwu and Hon. Chijioke Mbah, thanked the people of the wards for their reception and support for his administration.
Ani outlined what he described as the achievements of his administration, saying they were anchored on fiscal discipline, disruptive innovation and grassroots transformation.
He listed improved internally generated revenue, youth and women empowerment, market infrastructure upgrades, environmental sanitation, enhanced security, rehabilitation of feeder roads, and support for primary healthcare and basic education among the interventions of his administration.
The chairman also highlighted what he described as the massive interventions of Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration in Enugu South, particularly in road infrastructure, water projects and the Smart Green Schools programme.
He said Enugu South remained a major beneficiary of the state government’s transformational agenda and that the partnership between the state and local government had enhanced development at the grassroots.
Ani assured the people that, if returned for a second term, his administration would be more impactful and people-centred.
He said all the requests presented during the ward tour had been noted and had already been incorporated into his second-term blueprint.
The chairman specifically pledged to prioritise erosion control at Umueze, healthcare and education infrastructure, as well as road construction.
Ani therefore urged the electorate to come out on September 26 to vote for what he described as continuity, stability and development, including his candidacy and other APC candidates.
The ward-to-ward campaign tour ended with prayers and solidarity songs, while ward executives and stakeholders expressed their commitment to supporting the candidates of the party at their respective polling units.
