John Nwaigwe
IN LABOUR PARTY WE STAND: CHIEF BOURDEX SHALL GO TO THE SENATE FOR US — CHIEF STEPHEN NWANKWO (AKUROULE I OF UTUTU, NNAYEREUGO)
“Returning Governor Alex Otti Is Sacrosanct; It Is Time to Vote Out Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Bring Fresh, Innovative and People-Oriented Leadership to Abia North.”
High Chief Stephen Nwankwo, Akuroule I of Ututu (Nnayereugo), has declared his total support for Chief Dr David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate for Abia North, pledging to mobilise his people for his victory in the 2027 general elections.
Chief Nwankwo, a respected community leader, accomplished businessman and influential stakeholder from Ututu in Arochukwu Local Government Area, made this declaration when Chief Bourdex led his campaign team on a courtesy visit to his Umuahia residence to welcome him to the Labour Party and solicit his support for the party’s candidates.
The prominent Ututu leader, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party, explained that his decision was motivated by his conviction in Governor Alex Otti’s transformational leadership and his desire to support the Governor’s administration and other Labour Party candidates in delivering purposeful governance to the people of Abia State.
Speaking during the visit, Chief Nwankwo lamented that, over the years, he had invested considerable time, resources and personal influence in supporting politicians to attain positions of power, only to be disappointed by their failure to fulfil their campaign promises.”
He specifically recalled his longstanding relationship with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, stating that he had supported the Senator substantially at both personal and political levels, including during his time at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and throughout his political pursuits.”I have supported Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for years, but the promises have not translated into the desired results”Nnayereugo
According to him, despite his extensive support and mobilisation efforts on behalf of the Senator, the expectations of his people had not been adequately met, while familiar promises continued to resurface during successive election campaigns.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the current state of representation in Abia North, Chief Nwankwo declared:
“Abia North needs a change, and from all indications, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has not demonstrated the sincerity and commitment required to bring about the desired transformation. Considering his record in office, I believe the time has come for the people to pass a vote of no confidence in his representation and demand a new direction for Abia North.”
He maintained that the people of Abia North deserved a representative who would prioritise their interests, honour campaign commitments and pursue innovative solutions to the developmental challenges confronting the Senatorial District.
Explaining his decision to leave the APC for the Labour Party, Chief Nwankwo said he was motivated by the need to support Governor Alex Otti’s efforts to transform Abia State and build a governance system that delivers tangible benefits to the people.
“I Joined Labour Party to Support Governor Alex Otti’s Transformational Leadership” he stated.
He emphasised that, as an elder statesman who remains actively involved in politics, his greatest desire is to see Abia State prosper and public officeholders discharge their responsibilities creditably.
He noted that his decision was not driven by personal considerations but by his commitment to good governance, accountability, sustainable development and the welfare of the people.
Chief Bourdex;a Sincere and Credible Candidates:
According to him, supporting credible candidates who demonstrate integrity, competence and a genuine commitment to public service remains essential to achieving the desired transformation in Abia State.
He further disclosed that his assessment of Chief Bourdex is based on his enquiries and personal findings and he is convinced the Labour Party candidate possesses the qualities required to provide effective representation for Abia North.
He described Chief Bourdex as an honest, disciplined and successful leader who values integrity, keeps his promises and consistently strives for excellence in his endeavours.
Chief Stephen expressed confidence that Chief Bourdex would bring a fresh perspective to legislative representation, stressing that Abia North needed a Senator who could be trusted to translate promises into measurable achievements. He consequently assured Chief Bourdex of his readiness to mobilise his political associates, supporters and the people of Ututu to vote massively for him in the forthcoming election.
In Addition , he also stressed that the interests of Ututu in governance, alongside the welfare and development needs of its people, would remain important considerations in his political engagement.
In his response, Chief Bourdex expressed profound appreciation to Chief Nwankwo for what he described as a bold and timely decision to join the Labour Party and actively participate in the collective effort to reposition Abia State and Abia North for sustainable development.
He commended the Ututu leader for choosing to be part of the political process rather than remaining on the sidelines, noting that the support of experienced leaders and influential stakeholders would be crucial to building a stronger political movement anchored on accountability, competence and service to the people.
Chief Bourdex reassured Chief Nwankwo, his political associates and the good people of Ututu and Abia North of his unwavering commitment to purposeful representation and sustainable development.
He pledged that, if elected, he would work towards establishing a legacy of responsible leadership, effective representation and people-oriented policies that would stand as a benchmark for future generations.“It would be a failure and a disservice to generations yet unborn for us to remain silent while kakistocracy and kleptocracy continue to undermine the development of Abia North. Our people deserve to be liberated from the burden of poor representation and retrogressive policies. We must reject a political order that fails to prioritise progress, accountability and the welfare of the people.The time has come for us to embrace a new vision of leadership—one that places the people first, promotes sustainable development and creates opportunities for our communities to prosper. I am here to do this differently”, Chief Bourdex asserted.
The meeting between the two accomplished businessmen featured productive discussions on strategic areas of collaboration, partnership and political engagement aimed at strengthening grassroots participation, integrating communities and advancing the development interests of Abia North.
Both leaders expressed optimism that closer cooperation among political stakeholders, community leaders and development-oriented individuals would contribute significantly to building a more prosperous Abia North.
TEAM BOURDEX MEDIA
20 October 2026
