Residents of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State have expressed support for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s bid to return to the Senate in 2027, citing his constituency projects and continued engagement with communities across Abia North.
The residents spoke on Monday during Kalu’s ongoing ward-to-ward consultation tour of Isuikwuato, where the senator presented an account of his representation, interacted with community leaders and listened to development concerns raised by residents.
Kalu’s engagements took him to Mgbelu Umunnekwu, Amiyi Obilohia, Umunnekwu Agbo, Amiyi Uhu and Amaibo, with women, youths, community leaders and supporters participating in the meetings.
At Amiyi Obilohia, residents turned out despite a heavy downpour to interact with the senator and discuss issues affecting their communities.
Some of those who spoke during the tour said their support for Kalu was influenced by projects and interventions they associated with his representation, particularly in education, roads, scholarships, business support and skills development.
Residents Highlight Education, Infrastructure Projects
Dr Lilian Obenwa, an APC chieftain in Isuikwuato, said Kalu had given constituents reasons to support his return to the National Assembly.
“We are returning Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to the Senate because, for us, he is the best senator Abia State has produced. This is not about sentiment. We can point to what he has done in our communities,” she said.
Obenwa listed classroom projects, educational materials, scholarships, business support and human-capital development among the interventions she said had benefited residents.
“When you build classrooms for our children, provide educational materials, give scholarships to young people, support businesses and send our youths for training, you are touching families directly,” she said.
Kalu has previously been associated with education interventions in Isuikwuato. In April 2024, three schools — Central School Amune-Ovim, Amiyi Uhu Central School and Umerem Central School — were commissioned after renovation and equipment works linked to his constituency interventions.
Educational materials have also been distributed to schools in the local government, including Umunnekwu Agbo Community School, Central School Oguduasa, Amaibo Community Primary School and other institutions.
‘Representation Is Not Only About Going to Abuja’
Prince John Ihemelandu, another resident who spoke during the engagement, said Kalu’s regular visits had strengthened his relationship with constituents.
“Representation is not only about going to Abuja. The people must know their representative and be able to tell him what they need. Senator Kalu comes home, enters the communities and listens to the people,” he said.
He said the ward tour had allowed residents to acknowledge completed interventions while also presenting additional needs to the senator.
Chief Johnson Azubuike said Kalu’s constituency record should be considered across the five local government areas that make up Abia North.
“Go to Arochukwu, Bende, Ohafia, Isuikwuato and Umunneochi. You will find projects associated with his representation. We still have challenges and we are telling him about them, but we must also acknowledge the work that has been done,” Azubuike said.
He identified rural roads, schools, employment opportunities and support for small businesses among areas where residents wanted additional attention.
Mrs Mary Ikwuagwu, another resident, said education-related interventions were particularly important to families.
“For mothers, when you improve the school where our children learn or provide materials that reduce what parents have to spend, we understand the value immediately,” she said.
Kalu Promises Continued Engagement
During the tour, Kalu told residents that his engagements were designed to give an account of his representation while receiving direct feedback from communities on areas requiring further intervention.
He highlighted classroom blocks, educational materials, scholarships, business support, skills acquisition and international training opportunities facilitated for constituents.
The senator also acknowledged that challenges remained in several communities and said he would continue to pursue interventions in response to identified needs.
The Isuikwuato tour is part of Kalu’s broader ward-to-ward engagement across Abia North. Earlier engagements in the local government included visits to Oguduasa, Avuvu, Nunya, Isuamawu in Eluama, Umubiala and Otamkpa.
The tour has also seen residents raise requests for additional roads, school improvements and other development projects. In an earlier phase of the Isuikwuato engagement, residents in three Uturu wards turned out despite heavy rainfall to meet with the senator.
Traditional rulers in Isuikwuato had also previously expressed support for Kalu’s return to the Senate during an interactive meeting with him as part of the ongoing tour.
Kalu said the continued confidence expressed by constituents would increase his responsibility to deliver more for Abia North.
“The confidence you continue to repose in me will only push me to work harder and do even more for our people,” he said.
He described the relationship between himself and the people of Abia North as a “partnership that works”, centred on representation, accountability and continued engagement with constituents.
