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Report by: Chukwuka Ugokwe, Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
Edited with analysis by: Sylvia Tochukwu-Ngige, Sylviangige.com
May 2, 2026 | Awka
A man seeking to represent Anambra East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Oguejiofor Chidebelu, has shared his plans to improve the lives of young people and bring meaningful development to the area. He pledged to focus on youth development in Anambra East Local Government Area.
Speaking during an interview with journalists in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, Chidebelu said his decision to run in the 2027 election under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is driven by a desire to serve the people more effectively.
According to him, his ambition goes beyond politics—it is about expanding his service to positively impact the six communities in the constituency: Aguleri, Umueri, Igbariam, Nando, Nsugbe, and Umuoba Anam.
Chidebelu emphasized that young people make up a large part of the population in Anambra East, yet many of them lack opportunities. He said this reality motivates him to push for policies and programmes that will empower youths, especially in areas like skill acquisition and agriculture
“When you look at Anambra East, you will see a large number of young people. The question is—what opportunities are available for them?” he said. “I am determined to sponsor laws that will encourage government to invest more in youth development.”
He also promised to maintain close contact with the people if elected. According to him, regular town hall meetings will be a key part of his leadership style, ensuring that residents are heard and involved in decision-making.
“I want to close the gap between leaders and the people. This office belongs to the people, and I will always engage with them,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of youth in both economic growth and community security, Chidebelu noted that he would prioritise initiatives that support young people to become productive and self-reliant. He also pointed to agriculture as a major area of focus, describing it as a traditional strength of the constituency that must be revived and modernised.
While promising people-focused leadership, Chidebelu also drew attention to what he described as a long-standing imbalance in representation. He noted that Umueri community has never produced a member of the State Assembly for the constituency and called on residents to support his candidacy to change that narrative.
With his campaign centred on youth empowerment, agriculture, and inclusive leadership, Chidebelu says he is ready to bring fresh energy and ideas to Anambra East come 2027.
Sylvia’s Take
What does youth development mean for young women in Anambra East? In many homes across Aguleri, Umueri, Igbariam, Nando, Nsugbe, and Umuoba Anam, young women are not just “youths”—they are breadwinners, caregivers, and silent drivers of the local economy. Any serious conversation about empowerment must clearly address their realities: access to capital, protection from exploitation, and opportunities that go beyond survival-level trading.
Skill acquisition and agriculture, as proposed, can transform lives—but only if women are intentionally included. Will young women have equal access to training programmes, land, and funding? Will there be support systems for single mothers, widows, and girls forced out of school? Empowerment must go beyond policy statements; it must reflect the everyday struggles of women who wake up before dawn to hold families together with little support.
As the 2027 race approaches, women in Anambra East will be watching closely—not just listening to promises, but looking for inclusion. Representation is not only about which community produces a lawmaker; it is also about whether women’s voices, needs, and safety are treated as priorities. Any candidate who truly seeks to transform the constituency must put women at the center of that vision, not at the margins.
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Internal Links:
- Women and Economic Survival in Nigeria
- Power Outage in Anambra: How Women Are Affected
- When Salary Becomes a Struggle
- Guest Column: Women Speak on Governance
Outbound Links:
- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): https://www.inecnigeria.org
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng
- UN Women Nigeria: https://nigeria.unwomen.org