ADC Senatorial Candidate IBO Unveils Campaign Council, Says Abia North Deserves Performance-Based Representation

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, senatorial candidate for Abia North Senatorial District, Ike Bishop Okoronkwo, has unveiled his campaign organisation and legislative agenda, promising to prioritise education, economic prosperity, agricultural development, women’s inclusion and infrastructure if elected in 2027.

Okoronkwo, popularly known as IBO, made the declaration on Monday at the ADC Secretariat in Umuahia during the unveiling of his campaign council and legislative agenda under the theme, “O Zula Zukwanu Ike! Enough Is Enough — Let’s Take Back Abia North.”

The candidate said his ambition was to move the district away from personality-driven politics towards measurable development, economic opportunities and accountable representation.

He outlined four priority areas, beginning with education, through which he intends to pursue scholarships, technical and vocational training, digital skills acquisition and apprenticeship opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Under his proposed Abia North Arise initiative, Okoronkwo pledged to support entrepreneurs, traders, artisans, graduates and small businesses through grants, business training, mentoring, equipment support and improved market access.

He set a four-year target of supporting 5,000 people into enterprise and mobilising 10,000 job and livelihood opportunities.

The ADC candidate also pledged to dedicate 80 per cent of his eligible personal Senate earnings and income to the empowerment initiative, subject to applicable laws and a transparent accountability framework.

He defended his political and leadership experience, insisting that effective representation depends more on capacity and measurable results than on previously holding legislative office.

The candidate said his experience in student leadership, political party committees, election management, business development and ministry had prepared him for the responsibilities of representing Abia North in the Senate.

On agriculture, Okoronkwo said his team had begun discussions with potential development partners to explore opportunities for agricultural investment, enterprise development and women’s economic empowerment.

He named Norfund, FMO, Proparco, DEG, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, TechnoServe, AGRA and the Gates Foundation among the organisations being approached.

He said the ambition was to mobilise at least five million dollars in eligible agricultural and enterprise investment across Abia North, noting that the discussions were ongoing and any funding would depend on project viability, due diligence and partners’ approval.

On infrastructure, the candidate promised to lobby for federal budgetary allocations for road rehabilitation, particularly in Ohafia, Abam, Isuikwuato and Acha.

He also pledged to engage relevant authorities on electricity access, including grid extensions, mini-grids and renewable energy solutions for underserved communities, markets, schools, health facilities and agro-processing centres.

Okoronkwo maintained that although senators do not personally execute every public infrastructure project, they can influence development through legislation, budgetary advocacy, oversight and engagement with relevant government agencies.

Addressing poverty in the district, he cited the 2022 National Bureau of Statistics Multidimensional Poverty Index, which he said estimated that approximately 28.8 per cent of Abia North’s population experienced multidimensional poverty.

He argued that the performance of political leaders should be measured by improvements in people’s living conditions rather than political prominence or years spent in office.

While acknowledging the office of the incumbent senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, Okoronkwo called for greater scrutiny of political representation, insisting that the district deserved improved economic opportunities, quality education and functional infrastructure.

He said he was not seeking election merely because he believed it was his turn, but because he wanted to introduce a development model centred on enterprise, agricultural investment, education and accountability.

The candidate further pledged to publish progress reports and pursue measurable targets to ensure that public resources and development partnerships deliver tangible benefits to the people.

At the event, Okoronkwo unveiled his campaign council, naming Ugochukwu Uwaeke as Director-General and retired Major Kalu Agwu as Deputy Director-General.

Barrister Reginald Nwaokocha was named Director of Finance, while Chief Orji Awa Kalu will serve as Director of Operations and Mazi Ejiofor Ezeani as Director of Stakeholders Engagement.

Other appointments include Nwaobi Victoria Oby as Director of Support Groups and Special Groups, Blessing Williams as Women Leader, and Chukwudi Ogbunde as Youth Leader.

Prince Udensi was named Special Adviser on Branding and Communication, Chigo Udensi as Special Adviser on Strategy and Special Duties, and Okey Udenyi as Special Adviser on Security and Mandate Protection.

The campaign organisation also named coordinators for Arochukwu, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, Umunneochi and Bende local government areas.

Okoronkwo called on youths, women, farmers, traders, professionals and community leaders to join his campaign, expressing confidence that a collective commitment to performance and accountability could help transform Abia North.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General, Ugochukwu Uwaeke, assured journalists that the campaign would be issue-based and focused on presenting ideas capable of winning the confidence of the electorate.

Uwaeke said the team was prepared to engage candidates of other political parties and would work towards the victory of the ADC, while also supporting other candidates of the party.

He described the proposed campaign as robust, energetic and structurally organised, adding that details of its programmes and activities would be unveiled at the appropriate time.

Dailytrailnews.com reports that members of the campaign council pledged their commitment to securing victory for Ike Bishop Okoronkwo in the 2027 Abia North senatorial election.