United States-based chartered accountant and entrepreneur, Agwu Ama Agwu, has emerged as the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency seat, promising to prioritise the restoration of electricity supply across the constituency if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027.

Speaking with journalists shortly after being declared winner of the party’s primary election in Abakaliki on Saturday, Agwu described the prolonged lack of electricity in Afikpo and neighbouring communities as a critical issue requiring urgent intervention.

He said Afikpo had endured more than 15 years without electricity, a situation he described as both embarrassing and unacceptable.

According to him, a viable solution already exists through the sub-power station constructed in Amasiri, which has remained inactive despite its potential to improve electricity supply across the area.

Agwu noted that energising the facility would benefit not only Afikpo but also Edda and the wider Ebonyi South zone. He argued that facilitating the completion of such projects should form part of the developmental responsibilities of elected representatives.

He added that lawmakers from the state could collaborate to secure the resources needed to complete the project if government funding proves insufficient.

The NDC candidate described his emergence as a humbling experience and said it had strengthened his resolve to provide effective representation for the people of the constituency.

Agwu said the turnout recorded during the primary election, including participation by elderly residents, persons living with disabilities and young people, demonstrated the desire of constituents for change and meaningful representation.

He pledged to champion the interests of the people in the National Assembly and work towards delivering what he described as hope, redemption and genuine representation.

On the issue of political zoning, Agwu argued that fairness requires the House of Representatives seat to rotate between Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas.

He maintained that since the current representative from Afikpo has served two terms in office, Edda should be given the opportunity to produce the next occupant of the seat.

Addressing concerns over the possibility of multiple candidates from Edda contesting the 2027 election, Agwu expressed confidence in his electoral prospects.

He said voters are increasingly making decisions based on the character, competence and credibility of candidates rather than party affiliation alone, adding that his record and message would distinguish him from other contenders regardless of the number of candidates in the race.