APC Campaign Train Receives Rousing Welcome in Mgbowo, Stakeholders Pledge Strong Support

…As Ekpulato, Ekpulambo communities rally behind Mbah, Okolo and APC candidates ahead of September 26 council poll and 2027 elections

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The campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, received a rousing welcome from the people of Ekpulato and Ekpulambo autonomous communities in Mgbowo, as community leaders, women, youths and political stakeholders turned out in large numbers to identify with the party and its candidates.

The campaign, which formed part of the APC’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the September 26 council election and subsequent political engagements, was marked by colourful cultural displays, dancing groups, masquerades, drums and enthusiastic chants, giving the exercise the character of both a political rally and a community celebration.

The first stop was Eke Daily Market at Akinaukwa Junction, venue of the Ekpulato rally, where the atmosphere became lively as supporters and community groups welcomed members of the campaign team.

The opening prayer was offered by Hon. Eze Rose, after which the President-General of Ekpulato Mgbowo Town Union, Chief Peter Amah, performed the traditional kola nut prayer, setting the tone for the gathering.

The Director-General of the APC Council Election Campaign in Awgu LGA, Hon. Okey Nathan Udeh and Hon. Alloysius Anya, anchored the proceedings, recognising dignitaries, party leaders, candidates and community stakeholders present.

Welcoming the campaign train, the Ward Councillor, Hon. Anthonia Udeh, thanked the people for their impressive turnout and called for continued engagement between the community and the political leadership.

Hon. Francis Alukwu acknowledged the presence of the party leadership and other dignitaries, highlighting what he described as the visible presence and impact of the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in Mgbowo, while also pointing to opportunities created for sons and daughters of the area.

Hon. Nnanna Orjibe, APC State Ex-officio, expressed confidence in the political strength of Mgbowo and the continued relationship between the community and the party.

Hon. Ken Oforma, former Chairman of the APC in Awgu LGA and current Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Enugu State, also addressed the gathering, commending the impressive turnout and warm reception. He urged continued grassroots engagement, unity and commitment to the political and developmental progress of Mgbowo and Awgu.

The APC leadership subsequently introduced the party’s candidate for Mgbowo Ward councillorship, Hon. Chichebe Odenigbo, who received the party flag amid cheers from supporters.

Permanent Member III of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Hon. Dr. Nwakaego Ajah, commended the turnout and spoke on the development agenda of Governor Mbah, particularly the administration’s interventions across Awgu and Mgbowo.

Also addressing the gathering, Hon. Anthony Chukwudi Nwankwo, who represents Awgu South State Constituency, expressed confidence in the people of Mgbowo and commended the community for the warm reception accorded the campaign team.

The Deputy Chairman of Awgu LGA and APC leader in Mgbowo Ward, Dr. Stanley Uchenna Ezediuto, described the gathering as more than a campaign outing, saying it also offered an opportunity to appreciate the people for their responsiveness and goodwill.

He thanked the women, youths, traditional groups and other stakeholders for the reception, noting that the enthusiasm displayed by the community was a reflection of the importance it attached to political participation and grassroots engagement.

The Executive Chairman of Awgu LGA and APC chairmanship candidate, Hon. Uchenna Joseph Okolo, also expressed appreciation to the people of Ekpulato for their impressive turnout, describing the mobilisation as encouraging and organic. He urged the community to sustain its partnership with the local government and the party.

The Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman of Awgu LGA, Hon. Ndubuisi Nwaudigwe, was also present among members of the council leadership and campaign entourage, adding to the strong representation of the Awgu LGA administration at the grassroots engagement.

The Woman Leader of the APC in Awgu LGA also joined the campaign team at the gathering, reinforcing the visible participation of women in the mobilisation exercise. Her presence further underscored the role of women across the wards in sustaining grassroots political organisation and community engagement.

Among the prominent support groups and cultural organisations that added colour to the occasion were the Renaissance Group, led by Chief Ejinaka Vianney Chidi (Akaekpuchi Onwa 1); Madu Ka Ana Ya Masquerade Group, led by Hon. Francis Alukwu; Eziafa Ka-Ego Women Group, led by Dr. Ego Aja; Inyom Amagu Ugwu; Sweet Mothers Association; Ezioha Awa-lato Women Group; Ezioha Young Youths Cultural Dance Group; Ndi-Ada Umugama Women Group; Inyom Inyi Ekpulato Mgbowo Women Group; Ezinne Women Group of Imeama Mgbowo; Inyom Eziobodo Alechara; Inyom Ngelelato Alechara; and Inyom Ameta, among others.

Their colourful performances, chants and cultural displays transformed the political gathering into a celebration of Mgbowo’s communal identity, with the groups expressing solidarity with the governor, the APC leadership and the party’s candidates.

From Ekpulato, the campaign train proceeded to Town School, Mgbowo, where the Ekpulambo community staged another colourful reception.

The opening prayer at Ekpulambo was offered by Permanent Member IV of ENSUBEB, Hon. Mrs Agatha Oge Ukah, while Chief Nkwere performed the traditional kola nut prayer.

Hon. Anthonia Udeh again welcomed the campaign team and expressed appreciation to the people for their turnout and support for the community’s political engagement.

A key stakeholder, Comrade Akpa Francis(JP), said the campaign was fundamentally about the Mgbowo Ward and commended the youths for their mobilisation. He also highlighted what he described as Governor Mbah’s interest in Mgbowo and the recognition given to sons and daughters of the community through appointments and other opportunities.

Hon. Oge Ukah expressed confidence in the political direction of Mgbowo, saying the ward remained firmly aligned with the APC.

Hon. Anthony Chukwudi Nwankwo acknowledged the dignitaries and stakeholders present, including Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Nnamani, APC candidate for Nkanu West LGA, and expressed optimism that the enthusiasm witnessed during the campaign would continue.

Hon. Kenechukwu Okolo reminded the gathering of what he described as Mgbowo’s longstanding relationship with the APC and called for sustained participation in the political process.

The APC flag was subsequently presented to Hon. Chichebe Odenigbo, the party’s councillorship candidate for Mgbowo Ward, amid cheers from supporters and community members.

The Chairman of the Motorcycle Riders Association commended the Awgu council leadership and the campaign entourage for what he described as their efforts to give Ndi-Mgbowo renewed political impetus, while pledging continued support.

Among the other dignitaries present were Rt. Hon. Nelson Uduji, Secretary to Awgu LGA and former two-term member representing Awgu South State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly; Hon. Charles Ezenta, APC candidate for Awgu North State Constituency; Comrade Obinta Juliet, SSA to the APC National Chairman on Youth Mobilisation; Hon. Comr. Obinna Okpara, CEO of REF-MULTIMEDIA and Publisher of REFMEDIAGIST and TimesSquareGazette; Hon. Bona Onunta, former Councillor for Mgbowo Ward and former Leader of Awgu Legislative Council; Hon. Ikechukwu Azih; Comr. Augustine Chukwuocha other party and community stakeholders.

Also present was Hon. Toochukwu Chukwu, Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Chukwu, Hon. Michael Okibe who joined other party leaders, stakeholders and members of the campaign entourage in the engagement with the people of Mgbowo.

The day’s cultural highlights included performances by various community groups and Egwu Ajah by Mgbowo women, further reinforcing the communal character of the gathering.

At the end of the engagement, the campaign entourage was hosted by Chief Amobi Edeh, a prominent stakeholder in Mgbowo Ward, at his residence. The closing prayer was offered by Hon. Onuorah Ndubuisi.

The Mgbowo campaign outing offered the APC an opportunity to demonstrate its grassroots organisation while providing community leaders, women, youths and support groups a platform to publicly express their political alignment.

More than the speeches, however, it was the sight of the people, the women in their coordinated groups, the energetic youths, traditional performers, masquerades and cheering supporters, that supplied the day’s most compelling political statement.

The campaign train has moved on. The drums have quieted, the dancers have returned home, and the banners have come down. What remains is the ballot box, where the enthusiasm witnessed on the campaign trail will ultimately meet the arithmetic of democracy.

Report by:
Hon. Comr. Okpara Augustinepaul Obinna
(REFMEDIAGIST)
For One Day One Project Media