2027: Osakpamwan Promises People-Centred Representation, Road Rehabilitation, Scholarships

Hon. Egharevba Bright Osakpamwan, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in Edo State, has promised people-centred representation, improved road infrastructure, greater accountability in electricity supply, stronger rural security and scholarship opportunities for deserving students if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027.

Osakpamwan, who also urged voters to prioritise the integrity and character of candidates over political party affiliations, said effective representation must go beyond campaign promises to include accessibility, consultation with constituents and the delivery of projects that address their most pressing needs.

Speaking on his vision for the constituency, the ADC candidate pledged to maintain close contact with the people, listen to their concerns and work with them to identify practical solutions to the challenges facing communities across Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode.

He said he would take the needs of the constituency to Abuja and pursue opportunities to attract federal projects and interventions capable of improving infrastructure and the living conditions of residents.

According to him, participatory representation would be central to his approach, with constituents expected to have a voice in identifying priorities and determining the areas requiring urgent attention.

On road infrastructure, Osakpamwan acknowledged the challenges posed by poor roads in the constituency, promising to pursue federal intervention for roads requiring major construction and rehabilitation.

He also pledged to promote the grading of roads across the constituency during the dry season, explaining that such interventions would help improve access to communities and ease movement where comprehensive road construction might not be immediately achievable.

The candidate's proposed approach seeks to address both long-term infrastructure needs and immediate challenges affecting residents, particularly rural communities whose economic activities depend heavily on accessible roads.

On electricity supply, Osakpamwan called for greater accountability from electricity distribution companies, expressing concern over situations in which residents reportedly contribute money to purchase transformers, electricity poles and wires before the facilities are taken over by distribution companies.

He questioned the fairness of leaving communities to shoulder the cost of providing electricity infrastructure while consumers continue to pay for electricity services.

He maintained that electricity providers should be more responsive to their customers and fulfil their responsibilities to communities, arguing that the existing situation in some areas needed to change.

On security, Osakpamwan commended the Edo State Government for its efforts to strengthen the state's security architecture, saying he would collaborate with the government to reinforce existing measures and improve safety in rural communities.

He specifically identified farmers and traders among those who needed a safer operating environment to pursue their economic activities without threats to their lives and livelihoods.

The candidate also highlighted education as an important area of intervention, promising to support deserving students through scholarship opportunities.

He said he would seek to establish a mechanism for identifying academically outstanding students in public schools who required financial assistance to continue their education.

While acknowledging that available resources might not be sufficient to meet every need, Osakpamwan said his proposed approach would focus on identifying genuine cases and directing assistance towards students who needed it most.

Beyond his development agenda, the ADC candidate called on Nigerians to look beyond party labels when choosing political leaders, insisting that personal integrity, character and commitment to public service should be major considerations in the 2027 elections.

He argued that political parties could present attractive manifestos, but the individuals entrusted with implementing their promises ultimately determined the quality of governance.

“I am of the opinion, and I believe strongly, that this is not the time to look at political parties. It is time for people to understand the character of individuals and vote for those they know and believe can work and represent them,” he said.

Osakpamwan also expressed concern over disputes arising from party primaries and allegations of political mandates being sold to other individuals for financial gain.

He claimed that some political leaders were more concerned about the money they could make from the process than the interests of party members and the credibility of candidate selection. The allegations were his own assessment of the political situation and were not independently established in the interview.

The ADC candidate's comments underscore his argument that voters should scrutinise the character, commitments and records of candidates rather than rely exclusively on party affiliation.

Addressing expectations for his first two years in the House of Representatives, Osakpamwan acknowledged that he had not previously served in the federal legislature and described the contest as his first attempt to secure a seat in the National Assembly.

He nevertheless expressed confidence that he would make his voice heard in the House if elected, while emphasising that legislative participation alone would not be sufficient to demonstrate effective representation.

He pledged to ensure that constituency projects attracted through his office reached their intended beneficiaries, particularly during his first and second years in office.

“Definitely, my voice will be heard on the floor. That would not be enough, but I think constituency projects that belong to them within the first and second year must get to them directly,” he said.

He further promised to explore available opportunities to attract development initiatives to Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode, while assuring constituents that he would not deliberately deprive them of the benefits of projects secured for their communities.

For Osakpamwan, accessibility, accountability, infrastructure development, educational support and the protection of rural livelihoods form key elements of his proposed representation.

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, his proposals place the focus on how candidates intend to translate campaign commitments into practical outcomes for their constituents.

The extent to which these promises can be realised would depend on the projects pursued, resources secured, legislative actions undertaken and the effectiveness of collaboration with relevant government institutions if he wins the election.