2027: Constituents Seek Uju Kingsley Chima’s Return to Green Chamber, Cite First-Term Record
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Onwudiwe Stanley Emenike
Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency- Ahead of the 2027 general elections, supporters and constituents from the Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency have called for the return of former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uju Kingsley Chima, to the Green Chamber, citing what they described as his achievements during his first tenure.
Chima, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, is seeking a return to the National Assembly on the platform of the Action People’s Party (APP).
His supporters said his previous tenure was marked by legislative interventions, constituency projects, youth empowerment initiatives and efforts to attract federal government presence to the oil-producing communities of Imo State.
Before his election to the House of Representatives, Chima served in several government positions, including Coordinating Commissioner for Lands, Interim Head of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor in charge of Operations.
According to his supporters, he distinguished himself in those positions by advocating development and promoting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of people in the oil-producing areas.
They also credited him with influencing the appointment of young men and women from the region into government positions, describing the initiative as one of the significant human capital development efforts associated with his public service career.
Chima contested the 2019 House of Representatives election on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA) and won the mandate to represent Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency.
During his tenure in the National Assembly, he sponsored several bills and motions addressing issues ranging from oil and gas development, infrastructure and education to youth employment, public procurement, environmental challenges and governance.
Among the bills attributed to him were proposals seeking the establishment of the National Institute of Oil and Gas Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies in Egbema; alteration of Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution; establishment of a framework for project implementation and management; and the establishment of the National Gas Management Commission.
Other legislative proposals included bills on the establishment of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Federal Security Regulatory Agency, National Estate Regulatory Commission and Estate Agency Practitioners Council of Nigeria.
He also sponsored a bill seeking to amend the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment, etc.) Act to bring it into conformity with the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
On constituency and national issues, Chima sponsored motions calling for the completion of the Federal Government Skill Acquisition Centre in Egbema and the rehabilitation of the Avu–Etekwuru Road, as well as the completion of the Oguta/Nnebukwu Bridge.
He also raised concerns over the impact of oil spills and pipeline-related incidents on communities in Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta, including the fire outbreak in Etekwuru Community in February 2020.
Other motions attributed to him focused on youth unemployment, the establishment of a database for unemployed young Nigerians, the Nigeria Education Bank, monitoring of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), disrupted WAEC examinations in the South-East and the welfare of health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He further called for investigations into oil-sector revenue losses, oil well and export terminal metering, cash calls and joint venture agreements involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and oil companies operating in the country.
Supporters of the former lawmaker also recalled his involvement in the amnesty programme for militants and youths in the oil-producing areas of Imo State during the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
They argued that his experience in government and previous legislative exposure would place him in a strong position to attract additional development projects to the federal constituency if re-elected.
As the 2027 election approaches, supporters of Chima have maintained that his campaign would focus on his record in public office rather than attacks on political opponents.
They said they expect the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu (Ozuruigbo), to present his legislative record, projects and development agenda to the electorate before seeking another mandate.
Chima, popularly known as Omeudo, is currently the APP candidate for the Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency for the 2027 election.
His supporters are urging voters across the constituency to consider his experience, legislative record and previous interventions as they make their choice ahead of the election.
They believe his return to the House of Representatives would enable him to build on the legislative initiatives he began during his first tenure and use his experience to pursue additional infrastructure, employment, youth and women empowerment programmes for the constituency.
The supporters also expressed confidence that Chima's experience as a former federal legislator would strengthen his ability to pursue the passage and implementation of some of the legislative proposals he previously initiated.
They therefore appealed to voters in Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West to assess the candidates based on their records, competence and capacity to deliver effective representation.
According to them, the 2027 election provides an opportunity for the electorate to evaluate previous performances and determine who is best positioned to represent the constituency at the National Assembly.
