Banner Online News

By Ikechukwu Chukwudi-Abiandu

In a heartfelt consultation that resonated with hope and determination, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Delta North, Rt. Hon. (Engr.) Victor Onyekachi Ochei, has assured the people of Utchi Community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area that their long-awaited development is not only possible but imminent.

The former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly met with party members and stakeholders from the riverine community on [date], listening intently as residents laid bare decades of neglect, particularly the absence of connecting roads and reliable electricity that has left them feeling abandoned by successive governments.

A Community’s Cry

Welcoming the delegation, Hon. Gift Okwuolise, PhD, Director-General of the Victor Ochei Campaign Council, expressed gratitude for the community’s response to the invitation, emphasizing the importance of understanding grassroots expectations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei is not new or a stranger to politics, governance and representation,” Okwuolise said, painting a picture of a seasoned legislator whose footprints remain indelible in the Delta State House of Assembly. “When we go to the House of Assembly, the impact he made is still very visible there.”

The Utchi delegation, in their separate remarks, painted a sobering picture of their daily reality—a community cut off from the rest of Delta State, shrouded in darkness, and forgotten by those sworn to serve them. They spoke of the crippling difficulty of accessing other parts of the state and expressed a profound sense of exclusion from government attention. Their disappointment with the previous state administration was palpable, as they insisted they had little reason to support the APC.

“Unacceptable”—Ochei Confronts the Reality

Responding with evident emotion, Ochei thanked the delegation for their patience and resilience, acknowledging the hardship faced by residents with a sincerity that seemed to bridge the distance between leader and led.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the people of Utchi for their patience and long-suffering over the years, because I have an idea of the hardships you are going through,” he said. “It is unacceptable that Utchi has no connecting roads, no light and a practical absence of government presence.”

But the NDC candidate did not stop at empathy—he offered a vision grounded in engineering expertise and political will. Addressing concerns about the geographical and water-related challenges that have long been cited as obstacles to road construction, Ochei was unequivocal.

“There are some persons that believe a road can’t get into Utchi because of the water situation of the area. I want to assure you that roads are possible in Utchi and we will drive into the community,” he declared. “The cost is not the problem, because if the coastal road can be constructed by the Federal Government, then roads can get to Utchi.”

A Call to Action: Protect Your Future

The former Speaker did not shy away from the political reality of the moment. Urging residents to participate actively in the 2027 elections, he called on fathers, mothers, and youths to mobilize voters across households—door to door, house to house—to ensure that the development they so desperately desire is delivered.

“The coming election requires that we all come out to vote,” Ochei stated. “Our fathers, mothers and youths need to go house to house, door to door, to ensure that the development we desire is delivered.”

He further urged the people not to succumb to intimidation, stressing the importance of remaining at their polling units after voting to observe the process and protect their ballots.

“There is no need to be afraid, because there will be no opportunity to rig. After voting, we must wait at our various polling units to defend our votes, because the development that Utchi deserves is too important,” he said.

A Track Record of Care

Ochei reminded the community of his earlier intervention—the provision and installation of streetlights—a gesture that illuminated not just their streets, but their belief that someone was listening. He said the gesture demonstrated his willingness to support the community even outside public office, adding that he would seek to raise the level of intervention if elected senator.

The consultation, attended by respected community figures including Chief Austin Obi, a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS); Mr. Edwin Akaba, Vice President-General of Utchi Community; Chief Kenneth Ozegbe, Secretary of the Justices of the Peace; and Chief Sunday Nwanosike, provided a rare opportunity for the community to present its concerns directly to a candidate.

The Road Ahead

As the meeting drew to a close, one thing was clear—the people of Utchi had been heard. And in Victor Ochei, they may have found not just a candidate, but a champion willing to navigate the waters—both literal and political—to bring them into the light.

 

With roads, electricity, and improved access to government services emerging as key priorities, the NDC candidate has set a high bar for himself. But for the long-suffering people of Utchi, the promise of a road that leads out of isolation is more than politics—it is the hope of a future where they, too, can drive into the heart of Delta State and claim their rightful place.

The journey to 2027 has begun, and for Utchi, the road ahead may finally be paved.