Senator Uche Ekwunife has received a rousing welcome from residents of Akwu-Ukwu community during her campaign tour of the area, as traditional rulers, community leaders, women and children turned out in large numbers to celebrate her arrival.
The reception, characterised by music, cultural displays and dancing, was attended by the Igwe-in-Council, the President-General of Akwu-Ukwu, Sir Udoka Ejiakor, and other prominent community stakeholders.
In a moment that further enlivened the gathering, Ekwunife broke protocol shortly after her arrival by joining women and children on the dance floor to a cultural praise song by KCee, drawing loud cheers and applause from the excited crowd.
The event later featured remarks by a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Tony Uche, and the APC Zonal Chairman, Chief Augustine Muomaife, who praised the party’s senatorial and House of Representatives candidates, describing them as capable representatives to advance the interests of the zone and constituency at the National Assembly.
Muomaife subsequently invited Hon. KK Ezekwelu to address the gathering. Ezekwelu explained that he had previously visited the community and was now accompanying Ekwunife on her campaign tour because of his confidence in her leadership and track record.
He said he was impressed by the testimonies of residents in communities they had visited, promising to replicate Ekwunife’s developmental interventions in Akwu-Ukwu if elected.
When it was her turn to speak, the crowd again demanded that the senator join them in dancing. However, Ekwunife appealed to the audience to allow her to address them, citing the limited time available.
In her remarks, the senator said her achievements in Akwu-Ukwu spoke louder than political promises, highlighting several interventions she had facilitated in the community.
Among the projects she listed were the provision of educational materials and school furniture to St. John Secondary School, Akwu-Ukwu, as well as three free medical outreaches through which residents benefited from free medical consultations and drugs.
She also highlighted the installation of streetlights, donation of tricycles and the disbursement of grants worth over half a million naira to two indigenes of the community.
Ekwunife urged residents to support her re-election bid and vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that politics should be driven by issues and tangible benefits at the grassroots.
She appealed to the people to assess her candidacy based on her record of interventions and commitment to the development of their community.
The senator also promised that Akwu-Ukwu would receive a functional electricity transformer within three months of her assumption of office as senator.
The campaign visit ended on a celebratory note, with the enthusiastic reception reflecting the warm atmosphere between Ekwunife and residents of the community.
Her engagements in Akwu-Ukwu centred on showcasing previous interventions, seeking renewed political support and making further development commitments to the people.
