By Chuks Collins
Members of Ogidi community, especially the direct victims of Monday/Tuesday’s heavy downpour that flooded parts of Anambra State, including the Ireh-Obinagu, Ogidi area of Idemili North Council have commended the governorship flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress)APC in the fast approaching November 8, 2025 election, Nicholas Chukwujekwu Ukachukwu (Ikukuoma) for suspending his busy campaign schedule to rush to the aide of the flood disaster victims in Ogidi, the headquarters of Idemili North Council.
Acknowledging his rare and outstanding quality in interpersonal human relationship, the victims noted that he’s the only one out of the nearly two dozen Governorship candidates currently crisscrossing the State consulting and campaigning for votes/support that has visited the area.
Consequently, the residents of the Ire-Ndiagu community moved by his concern pledged their total support for Prince Ukachukwu, the APC and their members in the coming Nov 8,2025 election.
They admitted that Ukachukwu’s unscheduled visit spoke volumes about his interpersonal relationships with those in need including families affected by the devastating flood that swept through parts of Ogidi and neighbouring communities on October 6 and Oct 7, 2025.
The disaster left no fewer than 30 families homeless. Many were injured, several others had their houses, fences destroyed.
Some ancient revered shrines, totems, graves, household animals, farmlands and property worth hundreds of millions of naira were destroyed plunging residents into despair and helplessness.
During the visit, Prince Ukachukwu toured the flooded homes, fallen fences and neighbourhoods within the Ire-Ndiagu and along the Ogidi-Onitsha highway where commutters vehicles and passengers were having very hard time reaching their respective destinations as the high tide covering a reasonable stretch of the road was more than waist level, hence difficult for vehicles to navigate.
The victims, Mr Izuchukwu Obidi lamented that nearly four days since the sad incident, no one or word has come from Gov Charles Soludo or any of his aides, particularly the State Commissioners for Works or Social Welfare.
Investigations further revealed that the they passed the area before proceeding to Ogidi Town hall for a scheduled campaign gathering.
Ukachukwu, accompanied by top party and campaign officials on arrival went round and interacted with victims and community leaders, offering soothing words of hope, comfort and tangible support.
“What we are witnessing today in Ogidi is a clear failure of government,” Prince Ukachukwu said while addressing the crowd that instantly gathered on hearing that he was around to see them amid the pools of the stagnant waters and damaged homes.
“One of the primary duties of any government, he went on, was to secure lives and property. Once a government fails in that regard, it has failed completely.
“This incident is deeply tragic and troubling, an experience I would not wish for anyone. I see no reason why, after more than three years in office, the APGA-led government in Anambra State has failed to fix this life-threatening man-made issue.
“APGA has ruled this state for over twenty years, yet they have only made promises without results. If they could not achieve it in twenty years, how can they possibly do it in the next four years? Ukachukwu asked rhetorically.
“It is time for change, by voting for the APC, and that means voting for me,” he declared.
Ukachukwu, who is widely known for his philanthropy and community development efforts, announced an immediate donation of ₦3 million to support victims of the flood to help themselves.
“For immediate relief, I am giving ₦3 million to support the victims and help meet their urgent needs. May God comfort and strengthen you all,” he said, to loud applause from the residents, he stated.
Community members expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing his visit as the first time in years that a political leader had personally come to assess their plight.
Mr. Ekene Ude, a resident of Ire-Ndiagu, said the community had battled flooding for over two decades without any meaningful intervention. “The evacuation you’re seeing now started just yesterday, and even now, we’re still struggling to drain the water. The flood flows down from seven neighbouring towns and settles here in our community. We are crying out for help,” he said.
He added: “We need a people-oriented governor, one who will truly listen to the pains and challenges of the people and ensure the protection of lives and property. We have seen that quality in Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, , the APC governorship candidate. He came here personally to sympathise with us, listened to our plight, and assured us that he will tackle this flood menace. It shall indeed be well with him.”
Another resident, Mrs. Favour Metu, described the experience as “a nightmare.” “The flood has made life so difficult for us; it’s truly terrible. We desperately need help. What we need now is a leader who means his words, not another politician with fake and empty promises. Our votes and prayers are for Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu. We believe that with the APC in power in Anambra State, the story of our people will be rewritten for good,” she said.
For Mr. Uche Okoye, the flood left him stranded and dispossessed. “I’m really not happy. The flood has displaced me and left me stranded. As you can see, I can’t even access my house. It’s an unbearable experience. The flood destroyed my vital documents and many of my belongings. For Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu to show genuine concern about our situation means a lot to us. If for nothing else, we are assuring him of our votes in the November 8, 2025, governorship election,” he said.
Community leaders later reaffirmed their collective support for Ukachukwu and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, pledging to mobilise votes across the Idemili axis. They described the duo as “leaders with proven compassion, integrity, and the will to act.”
Prince Ukachukwu was accompanied on the visit by the Anambra State APC Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike (Nkwelle Nnabuenyi); the State Woman Leader, Mrs. Maria Ejielo; the APC Anambra Central Zonal Chairman, Chief Augustine Muomaife; the Chief of Staff to Prince Ukachukwu, Barr. Kingsley Ezekwelu and the Director of Administration, APC Anambra State, Hon. Arinzechukwu Awogu, among others.
The residents say the scars will remain, but so too will the memory of a leader who came not with empty promises, but with presents and compassion.
