FROM AROCHUKWU/OHAFIA TO ABUJA, AND NOW TO THE SENATE
Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole Ndukwe, FNITP, PhD, NDC Senatorial Candidate for Abia North, has presented his Manifesto, Legislative Scorecard and Account of Stewardship at the 2026 NUJ Media Retreat and Press Week, outlining his achievements in the House of Representatives and his vision for the future of Abia North.
Speaking under the theme, “Service, Stewardship and the Next Assignment,” with the central message, “Not an Election Senator A Town Hall Senator,” Hon. Nkole reflected on his eight years of representation of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency from June 8, 2015, to June 13, 2023.
EIGHT YEARS OF LEGISLATIVE STEWARDSHIP
In presenting his scorecard, he highlighted interventions across critical sectors, including:
- Roads and Bridges: Several road construction and rehabilitation projects, including the Arochukwu-Ohafia-Abiriba Road, Umuahia-Bende-Ozu Abam-Ohafia-Arochukwu Road, Omenuko Bridge, Anyim Bridge at Atan Abam and other community road projects.
- Water: Rehabilitation of the Akanu Ohafia Regional Water Scheme and Abiriba Water Scheme, alongside boreholes and other water projects across several communities.
- Electricity: Electrification projects, transformer installations, substation rehabilitation and solar streetlights in various communities.
- Education: Support for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Abiriba, classroom construction, educational materials for public schools and free First School Leaving Certificate registration for over 600 indigent pupils.
- Healthcare: Rehabilitation and construction of primary healthcare centres, provision of medical equipment and drugs, support for indigent patients and community health initiatives.
- Youth Empowerment: The E Go Go Again Shuttle initiative, provision of buses, vehicles and motorcycles, as well as assistance that facilitated the employment of over 100 youths in various federal establishments.
- Legislative Contributions: Sponsorship of bills, including the Federal Polytechnic Abiriba Bill, and 13 motions addressing infrastructure, security, electricity, erosion and other constituency concerns.
HIS VISION FOR ABIA NORTH: THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT
Looking beyond his previous constituency, Hon. Nkole outlined an agenda aimed at extending development across the five LGAs of Abia North: Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi.
His proposed priorities include:
- Completing Ongoing Projects: Pursuing the completion of major federal road projects, the Abam Surface Water Scheme and Igwu Bridge, among others.
- Healthcare Development: Working towards making all 217 Primary Healthcare Centres functional, adequately staffed and equipped, while pursuing a Federal Medical Centre for Abia North.
- Education: Advocating federal intervention for the 415 public schools identified in his presentation and pursuing the passage of the Federal Polytechnic Abiriba Bill.
- Water Supply: Reviving the 13 identified regional water schemes across the five LGAs.
- Roads, Electricity and Employment: Attracting more federal infrastructure projects, rural electrification and opportunities for 1,000 federal jobs for Abia North youths over four years.
- Boundary Disputes and Security: Pursuing proper boundary demarcation, protection of affected communities, security interventions and resettlement support for displaced persons.
- Equity and Accountability: Ensuring balanced development, with special attention to Bende and Umunneochi, while promoting transparency in constituency projects.
THE TOWN HALL SENATOR: A NEW APPROACH TO REPRESENTATION
One of the major highlights of the presentation was the proposed Uko Nkole Town Hall Charter.
Hon. Nkole pledged to hold quarterly town hall meetings across all five LGAs, giving constituents direct access to their representative and creating opportunities for regular accountability.
Under this arrangement, he proposed:
- Quarterly town hall meetings in every LGA.
- Regular reports from ward coordinators.
- Public project scorecards showing completed, ongoing and delayed projects.
- Open question-and-answer sessions with constituents.
- A Town Hall Resolution Book to document complaints, concerns and follow-up actions.
His proposed structure amounts to 20 town hall meetings annually and 80 over a four-year senatorial tenure.
He emphasised that representation must go beyond election campaigns, explaining that the people deserve a representative who listens, engages and regularly accounts for the responsibilities entrusted to him.
A STRONG POSITION ON ABIA NORTH BOUNDARY DISPUTES
Another significant aspect of his manifesto addressed longstanding boundary disputes affecting communities in Arochukwu, Ohafia and Bende.
He highlighted the human, economic and security consequences of disputed boundaries, including displacement, destruction of property, loss of farmland and disruption of economic activities.
He pledged to pursue proper boundary surveys, beaconing and gazetting, stronger security arrangements, federal intervention for displaced communities and protection of affected economic assets.
HIS MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE
In his concluding remarks, Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole Ndukwe maintained that his senatorial ambition is built on his previous legislative experience and a desire to extend development across Abia North.
He presented his manifesto as a continuation of his record of service, stressing that leadership should be measured not merely by promises but by tangible achievements, accessibility and accountability.
His defining message remains:
“I will not be a Senator that will only show up during election. I will be a Senator that will live with you, listen to you, and account to you every quarter, in every LGA, in every ward.”