Felix Unveils Development Agenda For Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Promises People-Centred Representation

Dr. Austine Oyarekwa Felix, a candidate seeking to represent Akoko-Edo Constituency II in the Edo State House of Assembly, has outlined a development-focused agenda centred on infrastructure, human-capital development, security, economic empowerment and accountable representation.

The constituency comprises Igarra I, Igarra II, Enwan/Atte/Ikpeshi/Egbigele, Uneme-Nekhua/Akpama/Aiyetoro/Ekpedo/Erhurun/Uneme-Osu and Ososo.

In his development agenda, Oyarekwa Felix-Aderi argued that the constituency requires a representative capable of moving beyond political promises to designing and implementing practical solutions to longstanding challenges confronting residents.

Among the issues highlighted are poor road infrastructure, unreliable water supply, insecurity, unfinished development projects, limited economic opportunities and inadequate access to markets.

Roads, Connectivity Top Priorities

Road infrastructure remains one of the major development concerns in Akoko-Edo.

In May 2025, the Edo State Government announced the rehabilitation of more than 45 failed portions of the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo Federal Road, a strategic route linking communities in Akoko-Edo with other parts of Edo as well as Kogi and Ondo states. The poor condition of the road had been linked to difficulties in transporting agricultural and quarry products to markets.

The state subsequently flagged off palliative works covering several failed sections along the Auchi-Igarra-Aiyetoro-Uneme-Nekhua-Aiyegunle-Ikpeshi-Ibillo-Ekor-Ikiran-Oke axis.

The 2026 Edo State approved budget also contains provisions for the rehabilitation of the 26-kilometre Igarra-Ososo Road, construction of Igarra township roads, construction of the Ososo-Okpella Road and the Auchi-Ikpeshi-Ibillo Road.

Oyarekwa’s agenda therefore places strong emphasis on legislative advocacy, project monitoring and strategic engagement with relevant government agencies to ensure that road projects affecting the constituency are completed and properly maintained.

Water Supply Remains A Concern

Water infrastructure is another major issue identified in the constituency.

The Ojirami Dam, located in Akoko-Edo, was designed for water supply to communities in the area. Research has identified Ojirami as a key hydrological feature serving communities including Igarra, Enwan, Ibillo, Uneme-Osu, Ayetoro and Ososo.

Oyarekwa's development approach proposes renewed attention to water infrastructure, with the restoration and effective utilisation of existing facilities forming part of a broader strategy to improve living conditions.

Security And Safer Communities

Security is also expected to feature prominently in the constituency's development conversation.

Akoko-Edo has recorded repeated incidents of kidnapping, with communities and residents expressing concern over the safety of people travelling along major roads and living in rural communities.

In June 2026, the Edo State Government temporarily closed three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo — Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School — following security intelligence concerning a possible threat to abduct schoolchildren.

Earlier in January, residents of Igarra imposed a night curfew following reported cases of kidnapping in the community.

Oyarekwa's proposed approach places emphasis on stronger collaboration between communities, security agencies and government, while advocating better infrastructure and economic opportunities as part of a broader response to insecurity.

Turning Local Resources Into Opportunities

Akoko-Edo is endowed with agricultural, mineral and tourism resources that could generate employment and improve household incomes if properly developed.

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission identifies agriculture, mining and tourism among Edo State's major investment opportunities, while the Edo State Government has also highlighted Akoko-Edo's mineral resources as having significant economic potential.

Oyarekwa believes that the constituency can benefit from a deliberate strategy that connects farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs and young people to skills, markets, finance, technology and investment opportunities.

Tourism is another area with untapped potential. Studies on Akoko-Edo have identified Igarra, Ibillo and Ososo among areas with tourism attractions, while noting that poor access roads and inadequate facilities remain constraints to fully exploiting the sector.

Why Experience Matters

A major selling point of Oyarekwa's candidacy is his professional background in human-capital development, organisational effectiveness, workforce strategy and international development.

According to his professional profile, he has more than two decades of experience and has worked across more than 25 countries, including within humanitarian and development environments. He has also served as a Global Talent Acquisition Advisor with Mercy Corps International and founded TALENTA Africa.

His stated philosophy is that effective leadership should focus on developing people, strengthening institutions and creating systems capable of producing measurable results.

For Oyarekwa, that experience should translate into a constituency-development model built around five steps: identify the problem, design the solution, mobilise the right partners, implement, and measure the result.

A Different Approach To Representation

Oyarekwa maintains that representation should go beyond occupying a seat in the Edo State House of Assembly.

According to his campaign, a legislator should speak for constituents, make people-oriented laws, advocate for development, monitor government projects, build strategic partnerships, create opportunities and remain accountable to the electorate.

The campaign therefore presents his candidacy as an attempt to introduce what it describes as a more development-oriented standard of representation in Akoko-Edo Constituency II.

The ultimate objective, according to the agenda, is to build a constituency where roads connect communities, water reaches households, farmers can move their produce to markets, young people acquire employable skills, businesses have room to grow, schools provide competitive education and communities are safer.

With Akoko-Edo possessing substantial agricultural, mineral and tourism potential, the campaign argues that the central challenge is no longer simply identifying the resources available, but building the systems and partnerships required to convert those resources into sustainable economic and social benefits.

Dr. Austine Oyarekwa Felix-Aderi is seeking the mandate to represent Akoko-Edo Constituency II in the Edo State House of Assembly, promising what his campaign describes as competent, accountable and development-focused representation.