KINGSLEY EBERE
The National Democratic Congress, NDC, is now in pole position to win the Aguata Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat, with Andy Azike flying the party’s flag, while Umuchu community will split its votes with 5 candidates running on different party platforms.
Aguata Federal Constituency comprises 14 communities: Ekwulobia, Igbo-Ukwu, Uga, Achina, Akpo, Amesi, Isuofia, Umuchu, Aguluezechukwu, Ezinifite, Ikenga, Oraeri/Oraerifite, Umuona, and Nkpologwu.
With voters spread across these towns, the race is expected to be decided by strategy, unity and turnout.
The NDC candidate for Aguata Federal Constituency is Andy Azike. He is described as a community leader with a strong background in service and development.
Party leaders say presenting one candidate gives the NDC an advantage, especially as the party has built goodwill across communities calling for rotational fairness.
“We have one voice, one candidate, and one message. Andy Azike is running to represent all 14 communities, an NDC leader stated.
In contrast, Umuchu has produced five candidates for the same seat, each on a different party platform. The Umuchu candidates on the ballot are Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Onunkwo Ebere Anthony of the Allied Peoples Movement, Uduonu Emmanuel William of the Action Democratic Party, and Ifeanyi Umeibekwe of the Labour Party.
Political observers say this effectively divides the large Umuchu voting bloc. Five candidates from one community on five different platforms means the votes will scatter. That is political reality, a chieftain in Ekwulobia said.
The NDC campaign says it will focus on issues affecting all 14 communities: federal road rehabilitation, youth empowerment, support for traders in Ekwulobia and Igbo-Ukwu markets, healthcare upgrades in Uga and Isuofia, and attracting federal projects to Akpo, Amesi, Aguluezechukwu, Ezinifite, Ikenga, Oraeri/Oraerifite, Umuona, and Nkpologwu.
“Andy Azike understands the pains of our people. This seat should be about service and delivery, a campaign coordinator said.
With Umuchu votes divided among APGA, APC, APM, ADP, and LP, analysts note that a united party with one candidate often has an advantage in a multi-candidate race.
In a divided field, NDC only needs to consolidate support across the other communities to win, an analyst explained.
NDC stakeholders have urged peaceful and issue-based campaigns across Aguata, saying the constituency needs one representative who will speak for the market woman in Ekwulobia, the farmer in Uga, the youth in Umuchu, and the artisan in Igbo-Ukwu.
With mobilization ongoing across the 14 communities, the NDC says it is ready to clinch the Aguata Federal House seat.