2027: APGA Senatorial Candidate, Irukwu Onwuka, Unveils Development Agenda for Abia North
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senatorial Candidate for Abia North, Chief Irukwu Onwuka, has unveiled a 17-point development agenda anchored on education, job creation, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, technology, investment and human capital development.
Onwuka, who unveiled the agenda at a press conference in Umuahia, said his vision was to provide what he described as a “New Face, New Energy and New Development” for the senatorial district, comprising Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi Local Government Areas.
The entrepreneur, industrialist and educationist said his over two decades of experience in business, education, agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, real estate, hospitality, media and international enterprise had prepared him for public service.
According to him, his development philosophy is built around entrepreneurship, education, innovation, investment, human capital and institution building.
He said education would form the foundation of his proposed development agenda, promising to advocate the establishment of smart schools across the five local government areas, strengthen basic education and promote access to modern learning facilities, digital resources and science and technology infrastructure.
The APGA candidate also proposed scholarship opportunities for deserving students, vocational and technical training, entrepreneurship programmes and skills acquisition for young people who may not pursue conventional university education.
On youth development, Onwuka promised to focus on enterprise development, digital skills, start-up support, mentorship, access to finance, apprenticeships and technology enabled employment.
He said the objective was to move beyond temporary interventions by equipping young people with skills and opportunities capable of generating sustainable income.
The candidate also pledged to promote women’s economic empowerment through support for market women, petty traders and women-owned businesses, while advocating grants, cooperative development, financial and digital literacy and vocational training.
On infrastructure, Onwuka said his legislative agenda would prioritise advocacy for electricity and rural electrification, solar and alternative energy solutions, rural roads, water supply, markets, digital connectivity and other community development projects.
He said the development of Abia North must be inclusive, with the five local government areas receiving attention according to their peculiar needs.
On healthcare, Onwuka proposed community medical outreaches, support for primary healthcare facilities, maternal and child health programmes, preventive healthcare and partnerships with medical professionals and healthcare institutions.
He also promised to draw attention to the welfare of elderly and vulnerable residents through community-based support initiatives and healthcare outreach.
On agriculture, the APGA candidate said the sector should be approached as a modern business capable of creating employment and wealth.
He proposed greater youth participation in agriculture, improved farming methods, agricultural cooperatives, access to inputs and technical knowledge, agro-processing, storage, value addition and better market access for farmers.
Onwuka further promised to advocate policies and partnerships that would support small businesses, artisans, traders, farmers and entrepreneurs across the district.
He said his experience in business and investment would inform his approach to attracting responsible private and diaspora investments into Abia North.
The APGA candidate also unveiled what he described as a “Digital Abia North” agenda, which would focus on digital literacy, coding and technology programmes, ICT training centres, internet access, support for digital entrepreneurs and remote-work opportunities.
He said grassroots consultation would form part of his approach to representation, stressing that development priorities should be identified through engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth and women’s groups, religious institutions, professional associations, farmers, traders, persons with disabilities and civil society organisations.
On legislative representation, Onwuka said a senator’s responsibility went beyond constituency projects, stressing the need for effective participation in lawmaking and advocacy for national policies that would benefit the people of Abia North.
He also promised regular communication with constituents and greater transparency in the communication and monitoring of constituency interventions.
Outlining his agenda for the five local government areas, Onwuka said Arochukwu would receive attention in education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, agriculture, youth enterprise and community development, while Bende would focus on agriculture, education, enterprise, roads, electricity, youth development and investment.
For Isuikwuato, he listed education, agriculture, infrastructure, skills development, healthcare and economic opportunities, while Ohafia would receive attention in education, enterprise, healthcare, infrastructure, youth development, agriculture and commercial growth.
For Umunneochi, he identified education, agriculture, rural infrastructure, electricity, healthcare, youth and women’s empowerment as key areas.
However, he said his professional experience in institution building, including his involvement in enterprises and projects under the Citiedge family of businesses, had shaped his approach to development.
He said his objective was to bring the principles of planning, organisation, partnership and accountability that guided his business activities into public service.
Summarising his vision, Onwuka said his development model would seek to educate, empower, connect, invest, create, protect and represent the people of Abia North.
He said the ultimate goal was to convert the human, agricultural, commercial and entrepreneurial potential of the senatorial district into measurable opportunities for its people.
“Every community deserves to be heard. Every young person deserves an opportunity. Every child deserves quality education. Women deserve economic opportunities. Our elderly deserve dignity and care”, he said.
He described the manifesto as a framework for what he called development-focused representation, with education, jobs, enterprise, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, technology, investment and human capital at its centre.
Also speaking, the Abia State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ambassador Sunday Onukwubiri, expressed confidence that the party would win the Abia North Senatorial District seat in the 2027 election.
Onukwubiri said APGA was prepared to face any candidate and was not intimidated by the incumbent, citing the biblical story of David and Goliath as an example of how a seemingly weaker contender can overcome a giant.
He also advocated greater opportunities for youths to take up leadership positions, urging older politicians to create space for the younger generation to lead.
