Akoko-Edo Constituency II Must Move Beyond Campaign Promises — Oyarekwa Felix

A candidate for the Edo State House of Assembly, Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Dr. Austine Oyarekwa Felix, has called for a shift from conventional campaign promises to a development-focused approach anchored on clear priorities, measurable action and accountability.

Felix, who is contesting the constituency seat on the platform of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said effective representation should go beyond promises made during election campaigns and extend throughout the tenure of an elected representative.

According to him, constituents should be able to identify the priorities of their representative, monitor actions taken on those priorities and receive regular updates on progress and outstanding challenges.

He outlined effective representation, youth empowerment, education, women's economic empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure and grassroots inclusion as key areas that should form part of the development conversation in Akoko-Edo Constituency II.

On representation, Felix proposed regular engagement between elected representatives and constituents, arguing that community concerns should be properly documented, presented to relevant authorities and followed up until responses are obtained.

He also identified youth development as a major priority, with emphasis on employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, vocational training, digital skills and access to programmes capable of improving the economic independence of young people.

In education and human capital development, he called for greater attention to schools, learning conditions, scholarships, bursaries, as well as technical and vocational education.

Felix also proposed stronger economic opportunities for women through skills development, access to finance, markets and enterprise support, noting that empowering women could contribute to household and community economic development.

On healthcare and basic services, he said primary healthcare, clean water, electricity and other essential services should remain part of constituency development priorities, particularly in underserved communities.

He further identified roads, markets, agriculture and other infrastructure as areas requiring attention because of their potential impact on movement, trade and local economic activities.

The NDP candidate also called for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups, farmers, women, youths and communities that may not always receive adequate attention in development planning.

He said accountability should be an integral part of representation, suggesting that constituents should be able to ask questions about identified priorities, actions taken, responsible institutions, resources or partnerships involved, achievements recorded and outstanding projects.

According to him, such an approach would help strengthen communication and transparency between elected representatives and the people they represent.

Felix said the political conversation in Akoko-Edo Constituency II should therefore focus not only on what candidates promise during campaigns, but also on how proposed programmes would be pursued and how constituents would be informed about progress.

He summarised his proposed approach as a transition “from campaign promises to clear priorities, from words to measurable action, and from representation to accountability.”

Akoko-Edo II is one of Edo State's 24 State House of Assembly constituencies. Electoral constituency records show that it comprises areas including Igara I, Igara II, Ewan/Atte/Ikpeshi/Egbigele, Uneme-Nekhua/Akpama/Ayetoro and other wards.