By Chukwudi Ebele
The All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate for the 8 November Anambra state election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Thursday, came to the rescue of about 30 families allegedly sacked by flash flood at Ireh-Obinagu Ogidi community, Idemili North Council area, that exhumed corpses, fell perimeter fences, destroyed farm produce, caved in scores of houses, among others during a two-day heavy down pour.
While presenting the palliatives and N3 million to them, Ukachukwu urged them to take heart, as he defied the flooding and personally went to ascertain the extent of destruction.
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 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 October 7, 2025.
The disaster, it was gathered left no fewer than 30 families homeless even as scores sustained various degrees of injuries and some ancient revered shrines, totems, graves, household animals, farmlands and property worth hundreds of millions of naira destroyed.
One of 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.
Ukachukwu, accompanied by top party and campaign officials, lamented what the people are passing through saying, “What we are witnessing today in Ogidi is a clear failure of government”.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at the community town hall, Ukachukwu said, “One of the primary duties of any government is 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.
He said, “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.
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.
“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, saying, “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.”
For Mr. Uche Okoye, “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.