Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Deserves A Good Representative In 2027 Not Eugene Dibiagwu

I have always maintained a deep and consistent interest in the welfare of Imo State and its people. While not everyone may appreciate my efforts, I believe that speaking out against anti-people and anti-poor policies is both a civic duty and a moral responsibility. For years, I have advocated for transparency, accountability, and honest governance because these are the foundations upon which a truly progressive state is built.

Government must deal fairly and openly with the people. Imolites deserve leadership that inspires confidence, creates opportunities, and provides a clear path toward development. Unfortunately, the current reality falls short of these expectations.

In my view, the member representing the Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu, has performed poorly in office. His record, after nearly four years in the National Assembly, leaves many constituents questioning what tangible benefits have accrued to the constituency.

Recently, I watched a video of him moving a motion on the floor of the House. In the footage, he appeared visibly nervous, frequently stammering and struggling to express himself fluently. For many viewers, the performance was disappointing and did little to inspire confidence in the quality of representation expected from someone occupying such an important office.

The greater concern, however, is not a single speech but the overall impact of his tenure. Many constituents struggle to identify meaningful projects, major infrastructure improvements, or significant legislative achievements that have directly benefited the people of Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, and Oru West.

Rather than being remembered for transformational initiatives, his time in office has been overshadowed by controversies, including the reported arrest and detention of critics who expressed dissenting opinions on social media. Such actions create the impression of intolerance toward criticism and raise concerns about the shrinking space for free expression and democratic engagement.

Another troubling perception among many constituents is that political loyalty has become overly centered on personal praise rather than performance. When public office becomes more about cultivating applause than delivering results, governance suffers and citizens lose faith in their representatives.

This concern is particularly significant because elected officials are entrusted with public resources and public confidence. They are expected to demonstrate competence, humility, and a genuine commitment to service.

Across the constituency, residents continue to face serious infrastructure challenges. Roads connecting Egbema through Avu-Obosima, Adapalm-Etekwuru, and Ejemekwuru-Agwa remain in poor condition, making transportation difficult and hindering economic activity. Communities that should be connected by functional road networks instead contend with deteriorated routes that affect trade, mobility, and daily life.

Many people therefore ask: What jobs have been attracted to the constituency? What major development projects have been secured? What concrete improvements can be pointed to as evidence of effective representation?

Critics argue that the constituency has lost valuable time to mediocrity, money politics, and ambition unsupported by preparation and capacity. While the lawmaker points to sponsored bills and motions, many constituents remain unconvinced that these efforts have translated into measurable improvements in their lives.

Public office demands more than promises and rhetoric. A representative’s word should carry weight, and commitments made to the electorate should be pursued with seriousness and integrity. Increasingly, many constituents feel that there is a gap between what has been promised and what has been delivered.

As discussions about the next election cycle begin, constituents are asking a fundamental question: if the resources, opportunities, and access available during the first term have not produced significant results, what reason is there to expect a different outcome in a second term?

In a democracy, citizens have the right and responsibility to evaluate the performance of their elected officials. Representation should be measured by tangible achievements, effective advocacy, responsiveness to constituents, and the ability to improve the quality of life for the people one serves.

Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru West deserves energetic, competent, and accountable representation. Whether the current representative has met that standard is a question that the people of the constituency will ultimately answer.

Kenneth Uwadi, Coordinator, Youths for Human Rights Protection and Transparency Initiative