RENEWED HOPE AMBASSADORS NOT PLATFORM FOR PERSONAL POLITICAL AMBITION, SAYS OPIAH-SAYS NDIGBO WILL USE 2027 TO CORRECT MISTAKES OF 2023
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The Imo State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), Rt. Hon. Goodluck Opiah, has cautioned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of the group against using the platform to pursue personal political ambitions, stressing that its core mandate remains public engagement and advocacy.
Opiah gave the warning on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Uruala, Ideato Local Government Area, where he and his team were hosted by a leader of the party, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo.
He emphasized that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors is not a political party but an advocacy initiative established to sensitize Nigerians on the achievements and policies of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governments led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at state, and local levels, and would support only candidates of the party and not aspirants.
According to him, “Renewed Hope Ambassadors is for all members of the APC and not a platform for actualizing personal ambitions. It is an advocacy group to propagate the achievements of the president, the APC state governments and the local governments.”
Opiah noted that the group had earlier inaugurated ward coordinators in the area and had continued its grassroots engagement through stakeholder interactions in other LGAs, adding that the visit to Uruala was part of ongoing efforts to deepen public understanding of government reforms and counter misinformation by opposition elements.
The former minister commended Ngoforo for hosting the group and providing an avenue for further engagement with the people, while also praising APC chieftain in the area, Chief Victor Nwanaforo, for his show of mature leadership, particularly his pledge to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives.
In a reference to the political situation in the constituency, Opiah urged constituents to demand accountability from their representatives, stressing that legislative offices should not be used as platforms for political attacks.
“You should begin to ask questions: what has your representative done in terms of jobs, empowerment, scholarships, and infrastructure? Leadership should be about service, not constant attacks,” he said, adding that constituents reserve the right to initiate a recall process where necessary.
On the broader national outlook, Opiah defended the reform policies of President Tinubu, acknowledging that while they have come with temporary hardships, they are necessary for long-term economic recovery.
He likened the reform process to the rebirth of an eagle, describing it as a painful but necessary transition toward renewed strength and longevity.
“Nigeria was facing serious challenges across sectors before this administration. The president has shown courage and vision. Savings from fuel subsidy removal are now available to states and local governments, enabling more developmental projects,” he stated.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms in the education sector, including expanded funding for universities and increased access to student loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), urging students to take advantage of the initiative.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Opiah said the Southeast region would leverage the 2027 general elections to correct the mistakes of 2023, expressing optimism about greater political alignment with the center in the zone.
“When the time comes, the Southeast will recognize the APC as the platform to actualize its developmental, economic and political aspirations. For now, we are focused on educating our people, not campaigning,” he added.
Opiah supported calls for renewed unity among party members and sustained grassroots engagement as the Renewed Hope Ambassadors continue their statewide outreach.
In his remarks, the host, Franklin Ngoforo, described the event as a demonstration of growing synergy between the people and government, noting that recent infrastructure projects, such as the Umuchima-Akokwa Road, have positively impacted the local economy.
Ngoforo also lauded the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma for appointments extended to indigenes of Ideato, including key government and party positions. He declared that the community remains committed to the success of the APC in the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, APC National Ex-Officio, Iyke Umeh, condemned what he termed the actions of unruly elements claiming to represent the constituency at the National Assembly, while highlighting ongoing road projects in the area.
Similarly, former local government Chairman of Owerri Municipal, Ebere Chukwuemeka, provided an economic perspective on the federal government’s reforms. He drew parallels with past liberalization policies in Nigeria’s banking and telecommunications sectors, arguing that current measures, such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, would eventually lead to price stabilization.
He noted that before the liberalization of the banking and telecommunications sectors, some banks collected as much as N500,000 for bank account opening while telecommunications companies collected as much as N50,000 for sim card and charged calls per minute, which were expensive and rendered telephone services out of reach for the poor.
He recalled that the situation has changed since after the liberalization policies as bank account opening services and sim cards are also almost free, while the poor, including market women now have access to telephones and telecommunications services.
He noted that while the effects of the current reforms may not be immediate just like the liberalization policies, early signs of economic adjustment were already evident, adding that external global factors had also influenced current fuel prices.
@Collins Ughalaa
