A non-partisan political group, Good Governance For Better Abia, staged a massive one-million-man march yesterday in support of Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha’s reelection bid for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in 2027.
The crowd, which included stakeholders, religious leaders, community heads, and captains of industry, marched across the constituency in what observers described as one of the largest political gatherings in the area’s history.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Chief Ike Opigwe, former Deputy Chairman of Umunneochi Hon. Jude Osy Asagwaram, and Alhaji Bubba Abdullahi said the rally was organised to identify and support leaders committed to good governance, regardless of political affiliation or religion.
They described Onyejeocha as a leader who has shown capacity through visible development projects across the federal constituency and beyond.
“The time has come for all hands to be on deck for the restoration of the lost glory of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi,” the leaders said.
They also warned that the constituency must “field its best eleven to avoid relegation to the back” in the 2027 elections.
Responding to the overwhelming show of support, the former Minister and APC flag bearer thanked the group for choosing “excellence and service over mediocrity, backwardness, and inexperience.”
She promised to lead the constituency back onto the developmental track through effective and pragmatic representation.
Onyejeocha also called on the people to continue supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and to back his reelection bid in 2027.
Hon. Onyejeocha, who represented the constituency for four terms from 2007 to 2023, is making a return to the House of Representatives after serving as Minister of State for Labour and Employment under the current administration, a position she held until April 2026 when she resigned.
Throughout her political career, Onyejeocha has been widely recognised as a strong advocate for women’s inclusion in governance. She served as Chair of Women in Parliament, where she spearheaded numerous reforms aimed at strengthening female participation in politics and legislative roles.
In a chamber dominated by men, she has consistently pushed for gender balance, equity, and fair play, earning her a reputation as a fearless voice for the female caucus in the National Assembly.
She sponsored a bill seeking special seats for women at the national and state Houses of Assembly, a move aimed at addressing the poor political participation of women in Nigeria.
During her 16-year tenure in the House, Onyejeocha recorded several landmark achievements. She sponsored the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017, which makes it mandatory for all hospitals in Nigeria to accept and treat gunshot victims immediately without requiring a police report, with any hospital or security agent that fails to perform this duty resulting in unnecessary death facing a fine of N500,000 or five years imprisonment.
She also sponsored the Anti-Torture Act of 2017, which penalizes acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. She sponsored the National Senior Citizens Centre Act of 2018, which established an institution to support elderly citizens. She sponsored the Local Government Financial Autonomy Bill seeking financial autonomy for local governments in Nigeria.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation for over a decade, she oversaw significant sectoral improvements, including the establishment of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Amuda-Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA.
She was also instrumental in the creation of the Federal Polytechnic Umunneochi in her constituency. Additionally, she delivered numerous constituency projects across Isuikwuato/Umunneochi, including rural electrification, school rehabilitation, youth empowerment programmes, road projects, solar-powered boreholes, erosion control works, and health centre construction.
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