OJI RIVER ERUPTS IN POLITICAL THEATRE AS MBAH-LED APC CAMPAIGN TAKES GRASSROOTS BATTLE TO COUNCIL POLL

…Sen. Ngwu, Hon. Onwuegbu, APC leaders rally support as party flags off campaign for September 26 local government elections

The political temperature in Oji River rose several notches on Tuesday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) formally took its campaign for the September 26 local government elections to the grassroots, turning the council headquarters into a theatre of colour, music, political speeches and unmistakable partisan enthusiasm.

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The flag-off, held on September 8, 2026, attracted an impressive gathering of party leaders, elected representatives, political office holders, candidates, supporters and community stakeholders, in what was clearly intended to be both a campaign launch and a demonstration of the APC’s organisational strength in the local government.

Representing the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, was the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia. His presence gave the event an unmistakable imprimatur of the state administration and reinforced the political significance attached to the forthcoming council elections.

Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion was the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Engr. Osita Ngwu. Also represented at the event was the Member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, whose Senior Legislative Assistant, Sir Ephraim Offiah, stood in for him.

Other elected representatives, commissioners and political office holders from Oji River were also present, adding considerable weight to the gathering.

The APC’s state leadership was equally prominent. The Deputy National Chairman, South, Dr. Ben Nwoye; the Enugu State Chairman of the party, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike; and members of the State Executive Committee attended the flag-off, signalling the importance the party attaches to its performance at the grassroots.

The Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Mr. Greg Anyaegbudike, welcomed the dignitaries and party faithful, describing their presence as a demonstration of solidarity with the people and political structures of Oji River.

One of the defining moments of the occasion came when the State Chairman, Dr. Chukwunweike, administered the oath of office to the newly constituted Oji River Local Government Executive Committee of the APC, led by Hon. Paul Udebuluzo.

The ceremony thus combined the symbolism of a campaign launch with the practical business of strengthening the party’s machinery ahead of the election.

Speaking through his representative, Sir Ephraim Offiah, Hon. Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu welcomed the gathering and expressed appreciation to Governor Mbah for what he described as the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Oji River.

Onwuegbu urged the electorate to come out in their numbers on September 26 to participate in the local government elections and cast their votes for APC candidates across the various positions.

The appeal was met with enthusiastic responses from party supporters and councillorship candidates, who filled the venue with chants of solidarity and campaign songs.

Traditional dance groups added colour to the occasion, while supporters moved through the venue in a carnival-like display of loyalty to the party and its candidates.

But beneath the music, dancing and political theatre was a more consequential message: the APC is positioning the September 26 election as a contest not merely for council seats, but for control and influence at the most intimate level of governance—the local government.

For Oji River, therefore, Tuesday’s flag-off was more than another entry on the political calendar. It was the opening salvo in a contest whose outcome will determine who occupies the council chambers and councillorship seats, and, by extension, who will have the responsibility of translating political promises into governance at the grassroots.

With the election date drawing closer, the APC’s message from Oji River was unmistakable: its machinery is on the field, its candidates are in campaign mode, and the battle for the local government has begun in earnest.