It is a ground swell of support for immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, OON, as he, on Monday concludes his initial round of consultations with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government Area and Ward Executives across the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency with an interactive meeting in Oshimili South Local Government Area.
The consultation meeting, held at the Art and Culture Pavilion Asaba drew the leadership of the party in Oshimili South, including the Local Government Area Chairman, Ogbueshi Dada Okolo, Ward Executives, and other key stakeholders of the APC in the area.
Elumelu, who is seeking the APC ticket to contest the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general election, was accompanied to the meeting by members of the Ndudi Godwin Elumelu Campaign Council led by Chief Edwin Uzor.
Addressing party leaders and members, Elumelu reaffirmed the supremacy of the party structure, particularly the authority of the party chairman and the executives at both the Local Government and Ward levels, as well as the role of card-carrying members in the party’s decision-making process in line with the Electoral Act as amended.
Reflecting on his years in the National Assembly, the former Minority Leader highlighted the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues in the House of Representatives and the opportunities such positions provided for advancing the interests of the people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
He outlined several interventions and projects attracted during his tenure, noting that his representation focused on human capital development and infrastructure in critical sectors such as power, healthcare, education, security, and the provision of social amenities.
According to him, traditional institutions within the constituency also benefitted from several support initiatives, including the design of palace models for the 58 communities in the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, a project which, he noted, had already commenced in a number of the communities during his time in office.
Elumelu further spoke extensively on empowerment programmes and employment opportunities facilitated for constituents, emphasizing that the welfare of the people remained the central focus of his legislative service. He noted that all 58 communities within the constituency benefitted from projects and programmes implemented during his representation.
The renowned federal lawmaker also addressed concerns surrounding the proposed Asaba Massacre Monument project, explaining that despite securing over N450 million for the project in the national budget, its implementation was disrupted following his exit from the House of Representatives in 2023. He disclosed that although about N380 million was later released, the project was stalled and the funds eventually returned to the Federal Government by the contractor due to what he described as poor handling of the process by certain individuals.
He assured party leaders and stakeholders that, if given the mandate of the APC and the electorate to return to the National Assembly, he would pursue the completion of the monument project by the grace of God.
During the interactive session, several speakers, including APC Oshimili South Chairman Ogbueshi Dada Okolo, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, member of the Delta State House of Assembly representing Oshimili South State Constituency, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, former member of the State House of Assembly Hon. Shedrach Rapu, and Hon. Ikechukwu Maduemezia, commended Elumelu’s contributions to the development of the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
They attested to his commitment to the welfare of the people, noting that many of the infrastructural projects and empowerment programmes he referenced were visible across communities in the constituency.
In his remarks, the Oshimili South APC Chairman, Ogbueshi Okolo described Elumelu as a good Man and leader who demonstrated genuine concern for the wellbeing of his constituents during his time in the House of Representatives.
To illustrate his point, the APC chairman introduced to the audience a young medical doctor who, he said, was sponsored through a full scholarship provided by Elumelu. The moment drew emotional reactions from the former Minority Leader and applause from the gathering.
Okolo, however, noted that the leadership of the party in Oshimili South would meet to deliberate and adopt a collective position regarding the forthcoming party primary, stressing that the decision would be guided by the overall interest of the APC and the people of the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
He concluded by offering prayers for Elumelu and expressing optimism about the former lawmaker’s political aspirations.
