2027: CHIDI NNAMDI JOINS IKONNE TO ENGAGE AHIABA YOUTHS, ADVOCATES YOUTH INCLUSION AND DEVELOPMENT
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate for Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Hon. Chidi Nnamdi, on Friday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne, on an engagement visit to the leadership and members of the Oha-Ahiaba Youth Forum (OYF) at Ahia Nkwo Nwa-Elechi.
Speaking during the engagement, Hon. Nnamdi commended the youth forum for providing a platform for constructive dialogue between political leaders and young people. He emphasised that meaningful political representation must go beyond electioneering and be measured by its impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
He encouraged the youths to remain actively involved in the democratic process, pursue available opportunities and support leadership initiatives capable of advancing community development. He further noted that the future of Abia South depends largely on purposeful leadership, strategic collaboration and the commitment of elected representatives to prioritising the welfare and aspirations of their constituents.
The engagement provided an opportunity for discussions on youth development, access to Federal Government empowerment programmes, political representation and the need for increased federal presence across Abia South.
Addressing the youths, Prince Ikonne called for a departure from what he described as years of inadequate federal representation in the senatorial district. Leading the gathering in a chorus, he declared: “Do something new in our lives; do something new in Abia South.”
He maintained that the Senate should serve as a platform for influence, constructive engagement and the attraction of development-oriented projects rather than a retirement destination.
He also highlighted various Federal Government initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including student loans, Bank of Industry (BOI) youth funding opportunities and programmes facilitated by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), urging young people to become better informed about available opportunities.
According to Ikonne, effective representation should extend beyond legislative participation to include strategic networking, information dissemination and the facilitation of development initiatives capable of improving the lives of constituents. He pledged to leverage his experience and political connections to attract meaningful federal projects and opportunities to Abia South.
In his remarks, the President-General of Oha-Ahiaba Youth Forum, Comrade Chijioke Ochieze, expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the absence of visible Federal Government legacy projects in Ahiaba Ward 5, Obingwa and other parts of Abia South.
He emphasised the importance of responsive leadership and sustained engagement with constituents while expressing confidence in Prince Ikonne’s capacity to bring a different approach to political representation.
Also speaking, Chief Nnamdi Kenneth Ugorji appreciated Prince Ikonne for identifying with the youth forum and engaging directly with its members. He pledged the forum’s commitment to grassroots mobilisation, including house-to-house engagement, in support of Prince Ikonne and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The visit further underscored the importance of political collaboration, youth participation and sustained consultations in strengthening relationships between political leaders and grassroots organisations.
Among the notable personalities who accompanied the delegation were Prince Adimchinobi Nwaigwe, Barr. Obinna Nwabiaraije, Hon. George Ubani and Prof. Solomon Iheonunekwu, alongside other political stakeholders and community leaders.
The engagement formed part of ongoing consultations and grassroots outreach by political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections, with particular emphasis on youth inclusion, access to development opportunities and responsive political representation.
@Hon. Chidi Nnamdi Campaign Council
Media and Strategic Communication Directorate
