By David Lawani
The Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for Imo East Senatorial District, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has urged voters to demand accountability from elected representatives, saying political power must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
Amadi spoke at the annual August Meeting of the Women’s Wing of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union (OADU) in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, where he announced donations totalling ₦3.5 million for community development and the medical treatment of an elderly woman.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Cajetan Duke, Amadi said residents had continued to grapple with poor healthcare, inadequate infrastructure, deteriorating public schools, bad roads, unemployment and worsening economic hardship.
He attributed the challenges to years of poor representation and misplaced priorities, arguing that elected officials at all levels must become more responsive to the needs of their constituents.
“The poor can’t continue to remain poor while a privileged few continue to prosper from our collective resources,” Amadi said.
He said government must ensure that ordinary citizens benefit from the country’s resources, while urging communities to scrutinise how public funds are deployed and use elections to reward effective representation.
Amadi also challenged women in Imo East to convert their numerical strength and grassroots influence into political power by making informed choices at the polls.
He said women, who bear much of the burden of economic hardship within families and communities, should play a greater role in determining who occupies elective positions and how public resources are managed.
The APP candidate also expressed concern over the decline in public education, warning that the deterioration of government schools could deepen inequality and deprive children from less privileged backgrounds of opportunities to improve their lives.
“As a son of nobody who is a proud product of public schools, I weep daily seeing education gradually becoming the exclusive preserve of privileged members of society,” he said.
Amadi argued that public education should remain an avenue through which children can overcome the circumstances of their birth and compete for opportunities on an equal footing.
The event took an emotional turn when Amadi encountered an elderly woman with a conspicuous growth around her throat.
Moved by her condition, he donated ₦500,000 towards her medical evaluation and treatment, saying the incident highlighted the difficulties faced by citizens who cannot afford basic healthcare.
“What we have seen here today is beyond politics. It is about our common humanity,” he said.
He also announced ₦3 million for development initiatives of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union.
Amadi commended the women for sustaining the annual August Meeting, describing it as an important platform for community development, social cohesion and grassroots participation.
He, however, cautioned against a situation where communities are compelled to assume responsibilities that should ordinarily be handled by government.
He urged the women to demand accountability from elected officials and closely monitor the use of public resources, stressing that elections provide an opportunity for citizens to assess the performance of their representatives.
Responding, the National Vice President of the OADU Women’s Wing, Mrs Victoria Ugochi Chukwu, thanked Amadi for identifying with the community and supporting its development efforts.
Chukwu particularly appreciated the ₦3 million community donation and the intervention on behalf of the elderly woman, describing the gestures as evidence of concern for the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Amadi attended the event with members and leaders of his campaign organisation and the APP, including Chief Henry Onwukwe, Director-General; Michael Crown Njoku; Chief Denis Okwu; Chief K.K. Ikeh; Cajetan Duke; Prof. Uche Nwosu; Engr. Emeka Onwukwe; Lady Chyna Ugwuadu; Chief Uju Ugochukwu; Hon. Obioma Onwuegbucha; Sir Denis Nneji; and Hon. Emma Soronnadi, among others.
