"We Have No Voice!" Group Decries Neglect as Anambra South Lacks Senate Representation

 

Anambra South Laments Political Void, Demands Urgent By-Election

Awka – The Coalition of Anambra South Progressives (COASOP) has raised the alarm over the deteriorating state of infrastructure in the Anambra South Senatorial District, attributing the situation to the absence of a senator representing the district.

Following the tragic passing of Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah eight months ago, the district has remained without representation in the National Assembly. This, according to COASOP, has left the people of Anambra South voiceless in critical governance matters, leading to stagnation in development projects and a lack of access to federal resources.

In a press conference held at Gelly’s Garden in Awka on Monday, COASOP, a coalition consisting of members from various political parties, made a passionate appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expedite the process of conducting a by-election to fill the vacant seat. The group issued a firm ultimatum, urging INEC to take action within the next two months.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, its leader, Mr. Obi Chukwuemeka, emphasized the urgent need for representation, stressing that Anambra South has been left in limbo. He noted that the current situation is unacceptable, as the constitution does not support prolonged periods of unrepresentation in a legislative constituency.

"Our People Have Been Silenced"

Chukwuemeka lamented that the absence of a senator has denied the district access to critical resources, including constituency allowances that could have been used for community development and empowerment programs.

“As you all know, Anambra South has been without a voice in the Senate for more than seven months. This is an injustice that must not continue,” he stated.

He further decried the worsening state of infrastructure in the region, noting that roads, schools, and healthcare facilities have suffered from neglect due to the lack of proper legislative oversight. Additionally, he expressed concerns over the exclusion of Anambra South from federal government programs, particularly as the 2025 budget has already been passed without any input from the district.

“Our youths and women are yearning for empowerment, but we have no means to access what rightfully belongs to us because we do not have a representative in the Senate," Chukwuemeka said. "The process for the 2026 budget will begin soon, and we cannot afford to be left out once again. INEC must take immediate action to end this abandonment of Anambra South.”

Call for Justice: "Let Nnewi North Produce the Next Senator"

Beyond demanding an immediate by-election, the coalition also called for political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP), to ensure that their candidates for the by-election come from Nnewi North Local Government Area—the home of the late Senator Ubah.

Chukwuemeka argued that this would be a fair and just move to compensate the people of Nnewi North, who lost their son while he was actively serving the nation.

“In the spirit of fairness and equity, we urge all political parties to zone their tickets to Nnewi North. It is the right thing to do,” he added.

As Anambra South continues to struggle without legislative representation, the pressure is now on INEC to act swiftly and organize a by-election to restore the district’s voice in national affairs. Whether the electoral body will heed COASOP’s call remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the people of Anambra South are running out of patience.