BY MIKE AGBAJI
Barely hours to the much-anticipated All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Bende South State Constituency seat, momentum appears to be shifting decisively in favour of frontline aspirant, Victor Ebubechukwu Anyaogu, following a wave of endorsements from party stakeholders and supporters across the constituency.
In a major political development on Monday, several supporters and loyalists of rival aspirants reportedly abandoned their camps to declare support for the youthful entrepreneur and APC chieftain ahead of the primaries.
The endorsement came during a massive unity rally attended by APC stakeholders, ward executives, youth leaders, and supporters from communities in Uzuakoli, Umuhu-Ezechi, Umu-Imenyi, Nkpa, and Ntalakwu districts of Bende South.
The gathering, which many party faithful described as a strategic show of unity ahead of the primaries, witnessed notable defections from opposing camps, including key supporters of the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Chinedu Ndubuisi.
Among those who openly declared support for Anyaogu was a prominent campaign figure previously aligned with the incumbent lawmaker.
The defectors cited alleged underperformance, lack of grassroots engagement, and growing dissatisfaction among constituents as reasons for backing the APC hopeful.
Supporters at the rally described Anyaogu as a tested grassroots mobiliser with a longstanding record of community support and humanitarian interventions across Bende South.
Speaking during the event, APC stalwart Paul Nwachukwu said the people had unanimously resolved to support Anyaogu because of his accessibility, philanthropy, and longstanding relationship with rural communities.
“He has always been there for our people. If given the opportunity, he will definitely do more. There is hardly any household in Bende South today that does not speak positively about Victor Anyaogu. He has consistently supported our communities without attaching politics to it,” he said.
“You can see people who previously worked for his opponents publicly declaring support for him today.
That shows the level of acceptance he enjoys. On Wednesday, we will all queue behind him because he has become our consensus candidate,” Nwachukwu added.
Responding to the endorsements, Victor Ebubechukwu Anyaogu said his decision to contest for the Abia State House of Assembly was inspired by growing calls from youths and ordinary residents seeking more responsive and people-oriented representation.
The APC aspirant, who hails from Amaedukwu Nkpa Autonomous Community in Bende South, stated that his ambition was driven not by personal interest, but by a desire to reposition the constituency through effective grassroots representation and innovative leadership.
According to him, the time had come for young people to actively participate in governance and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
“Well, I’m vying for the State Assembly because I want to represent my people from Bende South constituency.
As a youth, I believe this is the right time for young people to step up and take their rightful place in leadership,” he said.
In what appeared to be a veiled criticism of the incumbent lawmaker, Anyaogu argued that the constituency had not received the quality of representation expected by the people.
“The person currently there is not doing enough. Our people have continued to express concerns, but their voices have not been adequately heard. I am stepping forward not just for myself, but on behalf of my people, so we can begin to correct things and move Bende South forward,” he stated.
The youthful APC chieftain also highlighted his business and legislative background, which he said had equipped him with the practical experience needed to effectively represent the constituency.
According to him, his entrepreneurial ventures cut across real estate, land banking, solar importation, and commercial trading, with business interests in Aba and other parts of the country.
“Well, I’m into multiple businesses. I’m into real estate and land banking. I’m also partly into solar importation. I have shops in Ariaria and some rental properties in Aba,” he explained.
Anyaogu further disclosed that he previously served at the National Assembly under the Official Report Department of the Senate, an experience he said exposed him to legislative procedures and governance processes.
“I gained valuable experience serving in the Senate at the National Assembly. I witnessed legislative activities firsthand and learned a lot about governance and representation.
That experience has prepared me for the responsibility of representing my people at the state level,” he added.
He also appealed to APC stakeholders and delegates to support younger, energetic, and technology-driven leaders capable of responding to the rapidly changing realities of governance and development.
According to him, innovation, inclusiveness, and modern thinking must become central to grassroots representation if communities are to experience meaningful progress.
