Women still give birth with lanterns in our constituency – Abia Reps. NDC candidate, Iwenjiora
By Leonard Okachie
Umuahia, Sept. 28, 2026 (NAN) Mrs Evangeline Iwenjiora, the candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for Umunneochi/Isuikwuato Federal Constituency, Abia, has decried the deplorable state of infrastructure especially the healthcare facilities in her constituency.
Iwenjiora lamented that in 2026, women still give birth in health centres in Umunneochi, her Local Government Area (LGA), using lanterns and local lamps.
She made the remarks in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Umuahia, saying it was to address dearth of basic infrastructure that made her join the contest 2027 election to restore genuine representation to the constituency.
“In 2026, women still give birth in health centres without electricity in Umunneochi. What they use is lantern and local lamps.
“In some areas where they can’t afford kerosene, they use ‘mpanaka’ (a small, hand-held local lamp).That was used in the 80s,” she said.
Iwenjiora, who hails from Leru in Umuchieze, said her zone had suffered decades of marginalisation in spite of contributing heavily to Abia’s Internally Generated Revenue through the Lokpanta and Lokpaukwu cattle and chipping markets.
She lamented that in spite of this huge contribution, Umuchieze had not felt government presence in the 35 years of the state’s creation.
According to her, Isuochi has produced a senator, the late Uche Chukwumerije, a 16-year House of Representatives member and the current Assembly member.
In contrast, she said the Umuchieze zone had never produced any lawmaker since Abia was created from old Imo.
She said the zone has had no representation at the State Assembly, House of Representatives, or Senate.
Describing herself as a businesswoman, a mother and a passionate servant of the people, Iwenjiora said she had for over nine years ran a non-governmental organisation, funded with her personal resources.
She disclosed that she had executed empowerment programmes, SME grants, scholarships and payment of WAEC and NECO fees for students, through her foundation.
She said the Foundation recently registered about 137 students for NECO.
She said the NGO was born out of pain, having once been a disadvantaged Nigerian woman, which made her to understand the pains of indigent women and youths.
“There’s a lot allocated for every constituency in Nigeria, and sadly, that’s not being seen on ground.
“I’m here to change the narrative and to represent the people who genuinely cast their votes, not just my friends,” she said.
Speaking further on infrastructure, she cited the lack of access road to Acha in Isuikwuato LGA from Uturu, recounting that her vehicle broke down on the road.
She said traders at Ozara market complained that customers from Enugu and Ebonyi no longer came due to the bad road, a situation that had crippled the economic life of the area.
On empowerment, she said she does not believe in empowering university graduates with tricycles (Keke) or motorcycles, describing it as a way of keeping them at a level where they could be controlled.
“Someone cannot go to university for four years, plus one-year NYSC service, and all they can be offered is Keke.
“Why not give them grants to start genuine businesses if you really want to alleviate poverty?” she queried.
She insisted that her ward, Leru/Lekwesi Ward, had never felt government presence, adding that whatever development in Umuchieze was executed by illustrious sons and daughters.
“My community never had any internal tarred road except the access from the expressway that goes to Isuochi .
“When we talk about equity and fairness, I think I deserve this.
“I am the first in my zone to ever get this opportunity, and I’m not getting it just to have the paper. I am winning it for the masses,” she said.
On the chances of her party’s presidential hopeful, Mr Peter Obi, Iwenjiora claimed that the ‘wave’ in 2027 would be bigger than that of 2023, due to hunger and hardship in the country.
She called on youths to shun thuggery and reject being used by over ambitious politicians.
Iwenjiora stressed that her politics is issue-based and anchored on empathy, selflessness, healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture.
(NAN)
