The Enugu State 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Odalije Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, has led the party’s leadership on a solidarity visit to Inoyi-Affa in Udi Local Government Area following the recent attack in the community, which left two people kidnapped and several others injured.
Speaking during the visit, Ohaa expressed deep concern over the incident and sympathised with the affected families and the entire Affa community.
“When the people can no longer worship in peace, government has failed in its first duty,” Ohaa said, stressing that “the first responsibility of any government is the security of its people.”
The NDC governorship candidate led a high-powered delegation comprising the party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate, Chief Frank Omeje; Enugu West Senatorial Candidate, Hon. Uche Kingsley Eneh; Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency Candidate, Dr. John Nwokeabia; Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency Candidate, Engr. Ifeanyi Kingsley Eze; and several other NDC candidates contesting the Udi North, Udi South and Aninri State Constituencies.
Other members of the delegation included former Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu; former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Hon. Kentus Eze; Chief Hycinth Ngwu, former APC chieftain and former Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), alongside other party leaders and stakeholders.
At St. Joseph Catholic Church, Affa, the delegation was received by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Kelechi Uche, who expressed appreciation for the visit and prayed for the safe release of the kidnapped victims.
The cleric said he remained deeply concerned about the situation and would continue to hope and pray until the victims were safely reunited with their families.
Ohaa, while addressing the community, asked:
“What happens when people become afraid to go to church, and what happens when the village—the last place of refuge for many—can no longer guarantee safety?”
He stressed that security must not be treated as a political slogan but as a fundamental responsibility of government.
According to him, the NDC remains committed to standing with communities affected by insecurity and ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of citizens remain central to governance.
The delegation also visited the Ugwuegbu family as well as the families of the kidnapped victims, including Emma Onwudi and the abducted seminarian, where they offered prayers, comfort and solidarity.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Udi North House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Godwin Chidozie, thanked the NDC leadership for the visit and expressed hope that such an incident would never happen again in the community.
For the NDC leadership, the visit was more than a political engagement. It was a solemn demonstration of solidarity with a community in pain and a reminder that true leadership begins with feeling the pain of the people, standing with them in difficult times and defending their right to live in safety.
