The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Chief Samuel Okezie Nwogu, has inaugurated a grassroots women’s political structure as part of activities leading to the 2027 general election.

The inauguration took place on Sunday at Nwogu’s country home in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, during a solemn assembly where his candidacy, alongside that of the APC candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Prince Paul Ikonne, was dedicated to God.

The event also witnessed the inauguration of the Ikonne-SamKez Women 2027 political structure, with the organisers putting the number of women in attendance at more than 4,000.

The women, according to the organisers, were drawn from the 10 political wards in Ukwa West, alongside Akwa Ibom women resident in the area.

Speaking at the event, the guest preacher, Rev. Dr Kelvin Oleforo, Secretary of the Assemblies of God Church, Ukwa District, urged women to deploy their influence in their communities to promote candidates they believe would provide effective leadership.

Oleforo, who drew lessons from the biblical account of Jesus Christ’s first miracle at the wedding in Cana as recorded in John Chapter 2, described women as important actors in grassroots mobilisation.

He also urged constituents to support the candidacies of Nwogu and Ikonne, citing Proverbs 29:2, which states that when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.

The cleric said public office should be regarded as an opportunity to serve the people, while urging political leaders to place the interest of their constituents above personal considerations.

While leading prayers for the candidates, Oleforo said Nwogu’s previous public service record, in his view, indicated that he could make a positive contribution if elected.

“If Chief Samuel Nwogu is put in a place of authority, he will do well, given his track record in public office,” he said.

In his remarks, Nwogu thanked the women from the 10 political wards of Ukwa West and members of the Ikonne-SamKez Women 2027 structure for their support.

He said the APC’s national presence and access to the Federal Government would provide an avenue for the constituency to attract more development and empowerment programmes if he is elected.

Nwogu also outlined education as one of the areas he intends to prioritise, promising to support constituents with payment of WAEC and NECO fees, JAMB registration, students’ bursaries and university scholarships.

The APC candidate cited his previous interventions in the education sector, saying more than 211 students benefited from scholarship programmes during his tenure at the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission.

He also said another 200 students were sponsored for the Interim Joint Matriculation Board programme at Rhema University, describing the initiative as part of efforts to increase the number of graduates from the constituency.

“I initiated IJMB programmes and scholarships. All were done to encourage our young people to go to school, thereby increasing the number of graduates within our localities,” Nwogu said.

He further pledged to pursue programmes aimed at increasing federal government presence in the constituency, with interventions targeted at artisans, entrepreneurs, business starters, market women and youths.

Nwogu also promised to pursue youth empowerment initiatives and foreign postgraduate scholarship opportunities for qualified graduates seeking to further their education.

He appealed to his supporters to maintain peace before, during and after the election, saying his focus would be on attracting development and federal government presence to Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

Also speaking, the APC candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Prince Paul Ikonne, urged the women to use their positions as mothers and community leaders to mobilise support at the grassroots.

Ikonne said the commitment of the women would be recognised through what he described as tangible dividends of democracy if elected.

The Woman Leader of the Ikonne-SamKez Women 2027, Lolo Promise Onwukwe, and the leader of the Akwa Ibom women resident in Ukwa separately declared their support for Nwogu.

They said they were persuaded by his record and pledged to mobilise voters across the political wards in support of his candidacy.

The event was attended by several APC chieftains and political figures, including Hon. Tony Mezie Nwaubani, former Chief Whip and Director-General of the Chief Samuel Okezie Nwogu Campaign Council; Chief John Ajuzieogu; Abia APC State Treasurer, Mr Success Enyinna; and Ukwa West APC Chairman, Prince Adimchinobi Nwaigwe.

Others included Chief G.I. Akara, Secretary-General of the Prince Paul Ikonne Campaign Council; Prof. Iheonunekwu; Hon. Chukwudi Dike; Hon. Stanley Azuka; Hon. Onyedikachi Eberendu; Hon. Geoffrey Ogbonna; Elder Ezedinachi Kanu; Comr. Peacemaker Sunday; and the Akwa Ibom President-General in Ukwa West, Chief Dom Oforji, among others.

Highlights of the event included the dedication of the candidacies of Nwogu and Ikonne to God, the inauguration of the Ikonne-SamKez Women 2027 structure, the announcement of an 11th political ward to accommodate non-indigenes resident in Ukwa, and the decoration of Nwogu and Ikonne in traditional attire.

The organisers said the traditional decoration symbolised acceptance, strength and dignity.