Stakeholders from Akwuke and Akwuke Uwani communities have declared their collective support for the re-election of the Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Hon. Caleb Ani, saying unity and strategic political alignment are crucial to securing long-term development for their people.
The decision was reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday, where leaders from the area agreed to set aside internal divisions and in-house political rivalry in favour of a united front ahead of the next local government polls.
Speaking at the meeting, the convener and former councillor of the area, Hon. Celestine Ugwu, said the communities had resolved to “get their politics right this time” by aligning with the incumbent chairman, whom he described as both competent and dependable.
“We cannot achieve much as a divided people. That is why we have decided to eschew bickering and in-house fighting and support Hon. Caleb Ani for a second term,” Ugwu said.
“Aligning with the incumbent may also be our pathway to producing a chairman of Enugu South Local Government of Akwuke extraction in the future. Beyond that, Hon. Ani has done well for our people.”
Ugwu noted that the council chairman had demonstrated capacity and consistency in keeping his promises, adding that the stakeholders’ support would “speak for our people at the appointed time.”
“We should not allow ourselves to be misled or deceived like in the past. We are critical stakeholders who think about the development and advancement of our people and our community,” he said.
He urged residents to judge the chairman by his performance, citing ongoing projects across the council.
“Anyone who wants to know the truth should visit the council headquarters. Roads are being constructed, transformers have been distributed to communities—including ours—and street lights are being installed. These are clear signs of transformation,” Ugwu said.
“Because he has done well, we will stand by him and support him for a second term.”
Ugwu also linked Ani’s performance to the development philosophy of the Enugu State Governor.
“The chairman is clearly following in the footsteps of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, and we are assuring him of our unalloyed support till the end,” he added.
The APC Ward Chairman, Hon. Onyema Ogbodo, formally seconded the move to back the incumbent, describing the decision as strategic and beneficial to the community’s future political interests.
“Supporting the incumbent now, while it is still early, could serve our interest in the time to come,” Ogbodo said, while calling for unity, love, and understanding among the people as a means of achieving their collective goals faster.
Another stakeholder, Aroh Anthony, lamented that the community had never produced a chairman of the council, blaming past leadership failures and self-centred politics.
“Our previous leaders were rebellious, and their style of politics made it difficult for us. But we can begin to rewrite this history if we are committed and sincere to ourselves and our people,” he said.
Anthony highlighted tangible benefits already received from the current administration.
“For the first time in our history, we received a transformer, and our road has been graded to improve mobility within the neighbourhood,” he noted.
At the meeting, Hon. Chief Raphael Onyia, Chairman of Umugwunta Village in Akwuke, formally moved a motion for the stakeholders to adopt Hon. Caleb Ani as their sole candidate for a second term.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Ede Charles, sealing the stakeholders’ endorsement of the Enugu South Local Government chairman.
