“It’s My Turn” – Chinedum Orji Says, Begins Ikwuano/Umuahia Campaign With Women

Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has declared that “it’s my turn” as he formally commenced his campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Orji, who began his campaign with a meeting with women of the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in Umuahia, Abia State, on Wednesday, expressed appreciation to supporters who stood by him over the years, particularly during the 2023 elections.

He acknowledged the efforts of constituents during the 2023 election, saying they supported him without intimidation, and appealed for renewed support as he seeks to represent the constituency at the National Assembly.

“It’s my turn. I’ll not start here and castigate an Igbo man seeking the presidency. But this time around, you cannot only vote for me; you have to support me and others,” Orji said.

He said his ambition was to secure a platform that would enable him to effectively represent the constituency at the federal level and attract development to the area.

According to him, his campaign would be based on ideas, accountability and a clear record of service rather than personal attacks or political propaganda.

Orji also promised to pursue the inclusion of projects benefiting Ikwuano/Umuahia in the national budget if elected, while pledging to prioritise the empowerment of constituents.

“I’ll make sure, as others have done, to put Ikwuano/Umuahia projects in the national budget,” he said.

On empowerment, he promised that beneficiaries would receive sustainable support rather than temporary political gestures.

“Empowerment of constituents will be my goal; I won’t sell your rice,” he stated, emphasising his commitment to meaningful empowerment programmes.

The former Speaker further promised to pursue job opportunities for constituents, noting that similar interventions had been achieved by previous representatives.

He recalled his tenure as Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, saying that every clan in the constituency benefited from projects associated with his tenure.

“As Speaker, there’s no clan that does not have my signature project there,” Orji said.

Addressing the issue of Nnamdi Kanu, Orji said he would not use the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader for political purposes, arguing that negotiation remained the most realistic pathway toward securing his release.

“I won’t use our brother Nnamdi Kanu to play politics, but what will get him out is negotiation,” he said.

Orji urged supporters to take ownership of the campaign by mobilising voters at the grassroots, directing them to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote for the APC.

“Everybody here will be a polling unit coordinator. Go out and cast your vote for the APC. I’ll personally mobilise the women for this election,” he said.

He also challenged voters to scrutinise the records of all candidates and ask what they had done with previous mandates entrusted to them.

“My campaigns will be of ideas. What you should do is to ask me and others what we used your vote to do,” Orji said.

He added that he would unveil additional plans for the federal constituency as the campaign progresses, while thanking the women and other supporters for turning out to receive him.