In a significant political development, Chief Charles Lawrence Nwangwa, a renowned industrialist and staunch advocate for good governance, has declared his intention to contest for the Labour Party ticket in the upcoming Local Government Area (LGA) election in Obingwa, Abia State. Nwangwa made this announcement in his Umuomei community, emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing agriculture, education, and rural infrastructure development if elected.
Nwangwa, who has been a vocal supporter of political reform and community development, stated that his motivation for entering the LG race stems from a deep desire to improve the living standards of those residing in rural areas within Obingwa LGA. He believes that experienced and accomplished individuals, who are not driven by personal wealth accumulation, should be entrusted with the administration of local governments to ensure effective governance and development.
“The Local Government Area is the primary level of government that directly impacts the lives of the common people,” Nwangwa remarked, citing former President Shehu Shagari’s view on the importance of local governance. “I am running for this position because I know the people in every community in Obingwa LGA, and I am driven by a genuine desire to serve and develop our rural communities.”
If elected, Nwangwa promises to manage the Council’s resources prudently, ensuring that the common man has access to justice and basic amenities. He highlighted the need for local governments to work in alignment with state-level initiatives, particularly the vision set forth by Governor Alex Otti.
“I will focus on the people and work to translate Governor Otti’s vision by prioritizing infrastructure and development in rural areas. Without a functional local government, the governor’s efforts will not be fully realized in the rural communities,” Nwangwa explained.
Nwangwa also outlined plans to harness local mineral resources, enhance agricultural productivity, and open up access roads to facilitate trade between Obingwa LGA and neighboring areas, including five local governments in Akwa Ibom State. He expressed concern over the loss of farmland due to land acquisition by wealthy individuals and proposed reallocating unused lands to local farmers to boost food security.
“I have personally allocated over forty plots of land in my compound for farmers to plant improved cassava varieties. This initiative will help address hunger and improve food security in our Local Government,” Nwangwa said, adding that education for the children of the poor will also be a top priority in his administration.
As the local government election draws closer, Nwangwa’s declaration has sparked interest and support from various quarters, as he continues to build momentum for his campaign with a focus on grassroots development.
