2027: Egharevba Promises Grassroots Representation, Prioritises Healthcare, Youth Empowerment
Hon. Egharevba Bright Osakpamwan, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State, has pledged to promote people-oriented representation, prioritise healthcare delivery and youth empowerment, and ensure that constituency projects are properly maintained if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027.
Osakpamwan, a pharmacist and former vice chairman of a local government council, said his decision to contest the federal legislative seat was motivated by his desire to contribute to national development and address what he described as self-serving leadership in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview, he expressed concern that some politicians seek public office primarily for personal enrichment, influence and prestige rather than to improve the lives of the people they represent.
According to him, public office should be measured by the number of lives positively impacted rather than the financial benefits, power or social status it offers.
“My involvement in politics is born out of the fact that there are too many people in politics who do not mean well for our society. They want to occupy positions of authority to feel big and enrich themselves,” he said.
He maintained that political positions were temporary and should be used to create lasting benefits for the people, adding that his experience as a former local government vice chairman strengthened his determination to seek a higher platform from which he could contribute to shaping Nigeria's future.
Osakpamwan explained that he remained closely connected to the people during his time in local government, noting that he used part of his salary to repair roads in his community.
He said his ambition was not driven by flamboyance or personal ego but by the desire to serve and improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
Infrastructure, Education And Healthcare
On his legislative priorities, the ADC candidate identified infrastructure, education and healthcare as critical areas requiring attention, stressing that development must go beyond constructing projects to ensuring their effective maintenance and sustainability.
He lamented what he described as a poor maintenance culture in Nigeria, arguing that some public projects deteriorate because their promoters fail to establish effective monitoring and community participation mechanisms.
According to him, representatives must maintain regular contact with their constituents, encourage community ownership of public infrastructure and ensure that projects remain functional after completion.
“There should be a synergy between government and the people. A representative must ensure that projects are monitored and maintained so that they continue to serve their intended purposes,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of public education and continuous community enlightenment, arguing that education extends beyond formal schooling to include reorientation that helps citizens understand their responsibilities in maintaining public facilities and promoting peaceful coexistence.
On healthcare, Osakpamwan said his professional background as a pharmacist would inform his approach to legislative representation, adding that access to quality healthcare would be a priority if elected.
He stressed that good health was essential to productivity and community development, noting that people struggling with illness would naturally find it difficult to concentrate on other aspects of their lives.
Youth Empowerment: 'We Must Identify Potentials'
Addressing youth unemployment, Osakpamwan argued that empowerment programmes should be designed around individual abilities, business knowledge and vocational interests rather than political patronage.
He said his decision to contest the 2027 election was itself intended to encourage young people to participate actively in politics instead of allowing established political actors to dominate the process indefinitely.
According to him, many young people have become discouraged because, despite repeated assurances that they are the leaders of tomorrow, they often encounter resistance when they attempt to seek leadership positions.
He maintained, however, that sustainable empowerment required more than distributing money or announcing the number of beneficiaries.
“We cannot employ everybody. We have to look for potentials and empower the potentials,” he said.
The ADC candidate advocated support for entrepreneurship and agriculture, explaining that empowerment initiatives would be more effective if beneficiaries were selected based on their skills, interests and capacity to manage businesses successfully.
He warned that giving substantial sums of money to people without assessing their readiness or providing the necessary guidance could result in failed businesses and wasted resources.
Rather than pursuing impressive beneficiary figures without considering long-term outcomes, he said he would prefer to support a smaller number of qualified individuals capable of building sustainable businesses and eventually employing others.
He also advocated rehabilitation and appropriate support for individuals who require such assistance before participating effectively in economic empowerment programmes.
Osakpamwan said this approach would help create a stronger entrepreneurial culture and improve the chances of youth-led businesses surviving and expanding.
Promises Accessibility And Accountability
The candidate described accountability and accessibility as central principles of his political philosophy, citing his experience in local government as evidence of his commitment to maintaining close relationships with ordinary citizens.
He recalled that while serving as vice chairman, he continued to operate his pharmacy business within the local government area, making himself available to residents and political associates before and after official duties.
He said this arrangement enabled constituents to approach him directly with their concerns and allowed him to maintain a close understanding of the challenges facing the community.
According to him, occupying public office should not create a barrier between elected representatives and the people they serve.
“Positions of authority do not change me. I live with the people, and I am accountable to them,” he said.
Osakpamwan pledged to maintain regular contact with his constituents if elected to the House of Representatives, adding that he would return to the constituency whenever legislative duties in Abuja did not require his presence.
He also promised an inclusive approach to representation, in which community members would participate in identifying their most pressing needs and determining the order in which they should be addressed.
He said such consultations would help ensure that constituency development priorities reflected the actual needs of residents rather than the personal preferences of their representative.
ADC Candidacy And Political Journey
Explaining his political journey, Osakpamwan said he was formerly a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before joining the ADC through the opposition coalition.
He stated that he remained committed to his political path even after facing challenges during his tenure as local government vice chairman, claiming that some people had encouraged him to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain his position.
He said he declined that option because he believed there were other ways to contribute to Nigeria's development.
According to him, his decision to remain in the ADC was influenced by his belief that political leadership should be based on individual credibility, grassroots relationships and the ability to deliver results rather than the popularity of a political party or its prominent figures.
Osakpamwan further alleged that several politicians who had initially sought the ADC ticket for the federal constituency left the party for the New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after Peter Obi moved to the NDC.
He claimed that the movement of several aspirants, including his former political associates, left him among the few contenders remaining in the ADC.
The candidate said some of his friends questioned his decision to continue investing in his political ambition when several others had left the party, but he remained determined to pursue his candidacy.
He argued that elections should ultimately be about what candidates can offer the electorate, how well the people know them and their demonstrated commitment to community development.
However, the circumstances surrounding the ADC nomination dispute remain an important issue requiring further clarification. Osakpamwan alleged that another politician who had left the ADC was challenging his candidacy, but the complete details of the dispute, including the opposing party's position and any relevant official or judicial determination, were not provided in the interview excerpts available.
The claims regarding party membership, the departure of other aspirants and the nomination dispute could not be independently established from his account alone.
Calls For Inclusive Representation
Making his appeal to the electorate, Osakpamwan said the people of Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency deserved a representative who would remain accessible, understand their everyday challenges and work with them to find practical solutions.
He promised not to abandon the people after securing election, insisting that his approach would be based on consultation, shared responsibility and the collective identification of development priorities.
According to him, residents should have a voice in determining which projects and interventions deserve urgent attention, rather than being left out of decisions affecting their communities.
He maintained that his grassroots background, youthfulness, professional experience and previous involvement in local government administration had prepared him to pursue a more inclusive style of representation.
As the 2027 elections approach, his message centres on accountable leadership, sustainable infrastructure, improved healthcare, practical youth empowerment and stronger engagement between elected representatives and their constituents.
The extent to which these promises translate into specific legislative proposals, measurable development targets and concrete implementation plans will be central to assessing his readiness for the federal legislature.
He alleged that other aspirants who were initially in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) left the party for the New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to participate in its primary election, leaving him as the sole candidate who contested the ADC primary for the House of Representatives seat.
According to him, the ADC primary election was held on May 21, while the other aspirants participated in the NDC primary election held on May 29, 2026. He said he possesses a Certified True Copy (CTC) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he cited as documentation of his emergence as the sole ADC candidate.
He maintained that the circumstances surrounding the primary elections were important to understanding his position and the political developments that preceded the contest.
