President Bola Tinubu has assured political office seekers, going to the 2027 elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of a transparent process devoid of imposition of candidates at all levels.

The President gave this assurance during a grand civic and homecoming reception organised in honour of former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, at Amuda Isuochi, in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State, saying the APC party primary elections would be transparent and credible.

Represented by the National Welfare Secretary of the APC, Hon Donatus Nwankpa, President Tinubu stressed that candidates would emerge strictly through the will of party members, without imposition, even as he extolled Onyejeocha’s tenure in the Labour and Employment Ministry, which he said brought stability and administrative peace.

He urged the people to support her political aspiration expressing confidence that they would not regret it.

Speaking after being conferred with the traditional title of Anyanwu n’enye ihe 1 of Umunneochi (the sun that brightens the sky/horizon) by the traditional rulers, Hon Onyejeocha dedicated the title to God, through whose grace she was able to record all she has achieved, the traditional rulers, for whom she moved a motion for a constitutional role as a member of the House of Representatives and the people of Umunneochi in general.

She clarified that the event was not a campaign platform, as her declaration would come at a later date, but urged the people not to allow those she described as hijackers to truncate their choice in 2027.

The former Minister expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, for allowing her to serve in the federal cabinet, which she described as a turning point that expanded development opportunities for her constituents.

The federal intervention, according to her, helped to successfully address a major ecological challenge in Isuikwuato, a project which followed an urgent request she presented on the floor of the House and subsequently submitted to the relevant federal agency during her tenure as the lawmaker representing the Constituency, a gesture she assured the people would reciprocate through the ballot in the 2027 presidential election.

She also expressed appreciation to Governor Alex Otti whose timely intervention, ensured the smooth hosting of the event.

She explained that her decision to offer herself for political office again was borne out of the pressure from her constituents in Isuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs with reference to her unprecedented record of achievements as their former representative.

While acknowledging offers by supporters to purchase her nomination form, she however insisted on funding it personally, but otherwise would channel the funds she had earmarked for the form into her forthcoming 19th free medical outreach to expand healthcare access for vulnerable residents.

The Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Advisory Council led by HRH Eze Franklin Ohalezim which also conferred on President Tinubu the title, Ike Oha 1, (the strength of the people) of Umunneochi, said the honour on Onyejeocha was in recognition of her impactful service to the people using the political platforms she had occupied as chairman of Umunneochi local government council, Commissioner, lawmaker (House of Representatives 2007-2023) and Minister 2023-2026.

They highlighted key projects attracted during her tenure, including the Federal Polytechnic Ngodo Isuochi and a Federal School of Aviation, alongside scholarship and employment opportunities secured for constituents, among other philanthropic footprints and on behalf of the people assured of their support for her aspiration to return to the National Assembly.

In their remarks, Abia State APC Chairman, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, Abia State Co-ordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, and former Minister of Industries, Chief Henry Ikoh, among others, urged the people to support her and President Tinubu, describing her as an asset to the party and her people and commended her record of diligence and effective representation.

They expressed hope that her return to the National Assembly would accelerate federal projects and expand employment opportunities.