The Imo East (Owerri Zone) Senatorial candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has declared that poverty must not be allowed to become a permanent inheritance for ordinary citizens, insisting that the poor cannot continue to remain poor in a society endowed with enormous human and material resources.
Amadi, who decried the worsening socioeconomic conditions across communities in Imo State, identified failing healthcare services, infrastructural deficit, collapsing public schools, deplorable road networks, unemployment, social disconnection and economic strangulation as visible consequences of years of poor representation and misplaced priorities in governance. He argued that government and elected representatives at all levels have a fundamental responsibility to improve the living conditions of the people.
The Umuekwenne, Ngor Okpala-born academic and social entrepreneur stated this while speaking at the annual August Meeting of the Women’s Wing of Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union (OADU), Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, where he commended the women for their sustained commitment to community development and grassroots mobilisation.
Amadi told the gathering that women, because of their strategic position within families and communities, bear a disproportionate share of the consequences of economic hardship and governance failure. He therefore challenged them to convert their numerical strength and grassroots influence into electoral power by mobilising themselves to demand better representation through the ballot.
“The poor can’t continue to remain poor while a privileged few continue to prosper from our collective resources. Our mothers cannot continue to struggle with medical bills, our children cannot continue to learn in dilapidated schools, and our young people cannot continue to roam the streets without jobs and opportunities. Government must work for the ordinary people,” Amadi declared.
Speaking on the deteriorating state of public education, the APP candidate lamented that quality education was increasingly becoming inaccessible to children from poor and vulnerable families. He warned that the continued collapse of public schools could deepen inequality and permanently shut millions of children out of opportunities for social and economic advancement.
“As a son of nobody who is a proud product of public schools, I weep daily seeing education gradually becoming the exclusive preserve of privileged members of society. Public education gave people like us the opportunity to dream beyond the circumstances of our birth. We must rebuild a society where the child of the poor has the same opportunity to dream, learn and succeed,” he said.
The event took an emotional turn when Amadi encountered an elderly woman with a conspicuous growth around her throat. Visibly moved by her condition, he described the sight as a disturbing illustration of the hardship faced by ordinary citizens who are unable to access timely and affordable healthcare services.
Moved by the woman’s condition, Amadi announced a donation of ₦500,000 to support her immediate medical evaluation and treatment. He maintained that no citizen should be condemned to suffer from a treatable medical condition merely because of poverty, stressing that access to basic healthcare should be regarded as a fundamental responsibility of a responsive government rather than a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.
“What we have seen here today is beyond politics. It is about our common humanity. Nobody should have to carry an illness for years simply because she cannot afford medical attention. We must build a society where government sees the pain of its people, hears their cries and responds to their needs,” he stated.
Amadi further announced a donation of ₦3 million in support of the development initiatives of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union, praising the women for their determination to contribute towards the development of their community despite prevailing economic difficulties. He described the traditional August Meeting as an important institution for grassroots development, social cohesion and women’s participation in community affairs.
The senatorial candidate, however, cautioned that communities should not continually be forced to shoulder responsibilities that properly belong to government. He urged the women to begin asking critical questions about public resources, representation and development, stressing that elections provide citizens with the constitutional opportunity to reward performance and reject leadership that has failed to improve their lives.
Speaking on behalf of the women, the National Vice President of OADU Women’s Wing, Mrs Victoria Ugochi Chukwu, expressed profound appreciation to Amadi for honouring their invitation and identifying with the developmental aspirations of the community. She particularly commended his ₦3 million contribution and intervention towards the elderly woman’s medical treatment, describing the gestures as demonstrations of compassion and commitment to the welfare of ordinary people.
Amadi was accompanied to the event by top leaders and members of his party and campaign organisation, prominent among whom were Chief Henry Onwukwe, Director-General; Rt. Hon. Michael Crown Njoku; Chief Denis Okwu; Chief K.K. Ikeh; Cajetan Duke; Prof. Uche Nwosu; Engr. Emeka Onwukwe; Lady Chyna Ugwuadu; Chief Uju Ugochukwu; Hon. Obioma Onwuegbucha; Sir Denis Nneji; and Hon. Emma Soronnadi, among others.
