MBIERI YOUTHS DEMAND CHANGE AS DR CHIMA AMADI PROMISES PEOPLE-CENTERED LEADERSHIP
The people of Mbieri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State have once again voiced their frustration over years of neglect, poor infrastructure, and unfulfilled political promises, as they hosted the senatorial candidate of the Action People's Party (APP) for Owerri Zone, Dr Chima Matthew Amadi, at a town hall meeting with youths drawn from the twenty towns that make up the Mbieri community.
The meeting, organised under the auspices of the Council of Mbieri Youth Presidents, brought together representatives from the twenty constituent towns of Mbieri to engage directly with Dr Amadi on issues affecting their communities and to seek assurances on the future they desire.
Speaking at the event, the APP Publicity Secretary, Mr Steve Nnadi, welcomed attendees and introduced members of Dr Amadi's entourage. He noted that all twenty towns in Mbieri were adequately represented, underscoring the importance of the gathering and the collective desire of the people to chart a new course for their communities.
In his opening remarks, the President of the Council of Mbieri Youth Presidents lamented what he described as decades of political deception and abandonment. According to him, successive politicians seeking elective offices had repeatedly made lofty promises to the people of Mbieri, only to disappear after elections without delivering meaningful development.
"There is no development in our communities," he said. "We have suffered for too long. We are gathered here to tell Dr Chima Amadi that the Mbieri people need a rescuer. We have awakened to correct the mistakes of the past, and now is the time for action."
The interactive session provided an opportunity for community members to openly discuss the challenges confronting Mbieri and seek answers from the APP candidate.
One of the first speakers raised concerns about election integrity, particularly the issue of vote protection.
"Casting votes is not our problem," he stated. "The real challenge is ensuring that our votes count. What guarantees do we have that our votes will be protected from the polling units through collation to the final announcement of results?"
Speaking on behalf of women, Mrs Christianah acknowledged the critical role women play during elections and political mobilisation. She asked what plans Dr Amadi had for women's inclusion and empowerment should he emerge victorious.
"The women have always stood up during elections and contributed significantly to political campaigns," she said. "What benefits and opportunities will women have under your leadership?"
Other speakers highlighted the deplorable state of infrastructure across the community.
Mr Chukwuma Eze lamented the poor condition of roads and schools within Mbieri, expressing hope that Dr Amadi's emergence would usher in a new era of development.
"Many of our roads are impassable, and our schools are in terrible condition," he said. "We are praying that you win and bring meaningful changes to our communities."
Concerns were also raised about the lack of functional hospitals and healthcare facilities. A community member urged Dr Amadi to prioritise healthcare delivery and rehabilitation of health centres across the various towns.
The issue of youth inclusion in governance was equally emphasised, with calls for more appointments and opportunities for qualified young people from Mbieri to contribute to government and public service.
Another speaker, Mr Amaechi, assured Dr Amadi of the support of the people, saying their votes would be delivered in his favour while urging him to remain committed to addressing the concerns raised.
Adding his voice, Mr Victor described Dr Amadi as a leader rather than a conventional politician.
"We have seen your passion and commitment," he said. "Mbieri has suffered greatly, and what we need now is not another politician but a genuine leader who can rescue the people and restore hope."
Responding to the concerns and questions raised, Dr Chima Matthew Amadi commended the people of Mbieri for their historical role in community development and political participation.
"Mbieri people are pacesetters," he said. "You have always led the way while others follow. God has blessed this community abundantly, and with over 87,000 registered voters, Mbieri remains one of the most politically significant communities in Imo State."
Dr Amadi noted that the issues raised by the people—roads, schools, hospitals, and economic empowerment—were not extravagant demands but basic responsibilities of government.
"It is impressive to hear citizens asking for schools, roads, healthcare facilities, and other essential services. These are not luxuries. These are the fundamental responsibilities of government," he stated.
He lamented what he described as the gradual withdrawal of government from its core obligations, forcing communities to fend for themselves.
"Today, many communities have become municipal governments on their own. They provide for themselves what government ought to provide. The question then is: what exactly is the government doing for the people?"
According to him, politicians have reduced citizens to mere voting statistics rather than individuals with genuine concerns deserving of attention.
"The government uses people to secure votes and abandons them until the next election cycle. Politicians now see votes instead of human beings with real needs and aspirations. The truth is that the government has run away from the people."
Addressing the issue of infrastructure, Dr Amadi stressed the economic importance of good roads, noting that transportation networks are essential for commerce, investment, and overall economic growth.
"Good roads stimulate trade, encourage investment, and improve economic activities. When roads are fixed, businesses flourish and communities prosper," he explained.
He further criticised what he described as a deliberate exploitation of poverty by some politicians.
"For many years, poverty has been used as an instrument of political control. Some politicians prefer people to remain poor so they can continue sharing peanuts during elections in exchange for votes. It is not in the interest of the political class that the economic condition of the people improves."
Turning his attention to local government administration, Dr Amadi questioned the impact of public funds on the lives of ordinary citizens.
"Mbaitoli receives one of the highest allocations, yet the effects cannot be seen in our communities. The question every citizen should ask is: where is the money going?"
He maintained that underperforming leaders should not be rewarded with continued support.
"We must stop rewarding failure. When leadership fails to deliver, citizens have a responsibility to demand accountability and seek better alternatives."
On women's participation, Dr Amadi emphasised that no society can progress while neglecting its women.
"Any society that ignores its women is bound to fail. Women must be part of governance, development, and decision-making processes."
Regarding youth employment, he explained that the government cannot realistically employ every citizen but should instead create an environment that enables entrepreneurship and economic growth.
"The duty of government is to create an enabling environment that allows businesses to thrive. Government should establish schemes that provide access to loans at near-zero interest rates and support people who are willing to create jobs and opportunities."
On the issue of vote protection, Dr Amadi called on citizens to actively defend the sanctity of their votes.
"We all have a role to play. Protecting our votes does not end at the polling unit. Citizens must follow the process from the ward level through local government collation centres and all the way to Owerri. Democracy works best when citizens remain vigilant."
In a gesture that drew applause from the audience, Dr Amadi announced a donation of ₦10 million to support the resolution of pressing challenges facing a school within the community, reaffirming his commitment to education and grassroots development.
The town hall meeting ended with renewed optimism among attendees, many of whom expressed hope that a new style of leadership focused on accountability, development, and people-centred governance could finally address the longstanding challenges confronting Mbieri and the wider Mbaitoli area.
