Residents of the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area turned out in massive numbers on Tuesday at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to give Governor Hope Uzodimma a resounding welcome back to Imo State. The Governor was returning from the Federal Capital Territory, where he had been engaged in high-level national assignments, including the All Progressives Congress National Convention and the 74th birthday celebrations of President Bola Tinubu.
The gathering, organized under the umbrella of the Coalition for the Political and Economic Advancement of Ngor Okpala, was more than just a welcome party. As the host community of the airport, the people used the opportunity to express their appreciation for the Governor’s efforts in elevating the facility to a world-class standard. According to leaders who spoke with Reports, the transformation of the airport has opened up new frontiers for international flight operations and created significant economic ripples throughout the region.
Spokespersons for the various groups within the coalition, including Hon. Chukwuma Anuforo, Comrade Okechukwu Nzewuike, and Comrade Charles Opara, shared their perspectives on the Governor’s impact. They pointed out that the modernization of the airport has translated into tangible benefits for their youth, particularly in the area of job creation and enhanced commerce. Beyond the airport, they credited the administration with a genuine commitment to inclusive governance, citing several major infrastructure projects currently underway in Ngor Okpala.
Road construction was a major highlight of their praise, with specific mention of the ongoing work on the Ihitte Junction–Umuneke axis and the Okpala–Aba Branch road. The community leaders also noted the administration’s strides in the health sector, pointing to the construction and revitalization of numerous primary healthcare centers that have brought medical services closer to the grassroots.
The atmosphere during the rally also took on a strategic political tone. The coalition leaders applauded Governor Uzodimma’s recent commitment to institutionalizing zoning and equity in the state’s governance. They argued that such a policy would secure his legacy in Imo politics forever. However, they made a passionate appeal for these principles of fairness to be felt across all constituencies, particularly within the Owerri Zone.
They highlighted a long-standing feeling of marginalization within the Ngor Okpala bloc regarding senatorial representation. As the 2027 election cycle begins to appear on the horizon, the community leaders urged the Governor to use his influence to correct what they described as a worrisome imbalance. To this end, they voiced a unanimous endorsement for High Chief Chijioke Kaduru, a prominent APC chieftain and son of the soil, as their preferred choice to represent the area’s interests moving forward.
With the Governor’s promise of equity now on the record, the people of Ngor Okpala seem more determined than ever to ensure their voices are heard in the next chapter of the state’s political journey.
