…We want to rebuild people’s confidence in our leaders – Emeke Asiwe
By Ebube J. Yeolawa
In a bid to strengthen voters’ confidence and promote accountability, the Ika North East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) organized an enlarged town hall meeting where political office holders presented their scorecards.
The event, held on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Hotel Benizia in Boji-Boji Owa, attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, and stakeholders from various sectors. Among those in attendance were Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, immediate past governor of Delta State; Rt. Hon. Victor Nwokolo, member representing Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, member representing Ika North East in the Delta State House of Assembly; Hon. Monday Odigwe, Chairman of Ika North East Local Government Area; Mr. Kingsley Eze Emu, Secretary to the Delta State Government; Hon. Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Works (Rural) and Public Information; Chief Lawrence Oshiegbu; and Mr. Smart Ikem, among others.
Also present were representatives of various organizations and groups, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Association of Ika Students (NAIS), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Community stakeholders such as artisans, President-Generals, commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators (Okada and Keke riders), market women, and non-indigenes were also in attendance.
In his address, the convener of the meeting and APC Chairman in Ika North East, Hon. Emeke Asiwe, emphasized the importance of direct engagement between elected officials and the people.
“It is not enough to watch or listen to our political office holders on television or radio. There is a need to meet them one-on-one, interact, and ask questions for clarity. At the end of the day, we can assess whether their scorecards align with the realities on the ground,” he said.
Asiwe added that such engagements would be sustained to ensure that political office holders remain accountable and committed to selfless service.
“These programmes will continue. They are meant to keep our leaders on their toes, knowing they will be called upon from time to time to give an account of their stewardship. This is also part of efforts to rebuild people’s confidence in those elected into public office,” he stated.
While presenting their scorecards, Hon. Monday Odigwe, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, and Rt. Hon. Victor Nwokolo highlighted achievements in infrastructure development, job creation, empowerment initiatives, grants, and the education sector. They also assured constituents of continued delivery of democratic dividends and appealed for sustained support.
In his remarks, former Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, expressed satisfaction with the initiative and commended Hon. Asiwe for organizing what he described as a remarkable and unprecedented.
“What we are witnessing today is unprecedented. I am not aware of any party chairman in Delta State who has organized such an inclusive forum. It reflects your vision for the party and your readiness to serve,” Okowa said.
He noted that the meeting went beyond a typical party gathering, as it brought together people from diverse backgrounds and fields, including traditional and religious leaders.
According to him, such initiatives would enhance accountability, as political office holders would remain conscious of their responsibility to regularly account for their stewardship to the people.
