ODAOPOU: Nweke, PDP Candidate, Promises Youth Empowerment, Innovation in Enugu East Senatorial Zone

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District, Chief Kingsley Nweke (Odaopou), has promised to prioritise youth empowerment, agriculture, sports, technology and innovation if elected to the National Assembly in the 2027 general elections.

Nweke made the pledge, on Monday, during a press conference organised by the Odaopou Campaign Organisation at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Enugu.

The PDP candidate said the people of Enugu East had an opportunity to break away from what he described as a longstanding pattern of political “selection” and freely choose a representative who would genuinely serve their interests.

According to him, the election would be different from previous exercises because the people have become more determined to decide who represents them.

“It’s time to get it right. It has been selection all the while and that’s why they never delivered. Now the people have decided that they are going to vote for who will represent them,” Nweke said.

Nweke, who disclosed that he is involved in the hospitality business in the United States, said he had been consulting with stakeholders ahead of the election but would continue to place the interests and views of ordinary residents of the senatorial district above other considerations.

He said his legislative agenda would focus strongly on young people, stressing that youth empowerment and engagement would be central to his representation.

He also promised to promote initiatives in agriculture, sports, technology and innovation, while developing partnerships capable of creating opportunities for constituents.

“What I intend to do is more of youth empowerment and engagement. If elected, it should be about the district — agriculture, sports, partnership, technology and innovation,” he said.

Nweke further pledged to ensure that the efforts and contributions of people in the district would not be wasted, noting that he had already been involved in community development before seeking public office.

“I will make sure that the efforts of the people do not go in vain. I’ve been involved in community development and I will increase the momentum when I get into the National Assembly,” he said.

The candidate also expressed his desire to contribute to the revival of the PDP in Enugu State, saying, “I wish to make PDP regain its glory in Enugu State.”

Nweke commended journalists for what he described as their role in defending democracy and expressed his willingness to work closely with the NUJ if elected.

“Journalists have stood their ground to defend democracy and I wish to partner with NUJ. I urge you people to keep it up,” he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Odaopou Campaign Organisation, Prince Ogbodo, said Nweke’s candidacy represented an opportunity for the people of Enugu East to elect an individual whose contributions to society predated his quest for political office.

Ogbodo cited Nweke’s alleged sponsorship of community and cultural activities, including the Coal Camp Carnival, New Haven Carnival, Abakpa League and Abakpa Peace Carnival, as evidence of his commitment to community development.

He also referenced empowerment initiatives and support for healthcare programmes, including kidney transplant interventions, arguing that Nweke had demonstrated concern for humanity without holding public office.

Ogbodo said the 2027 election should be based on the impact candidates had made in society, rather than political calculations, adding that Nweke would work to restore hope and dignity to the Enugu East Senatorial District.