ADU ACHI: A COMMUNITY THAT MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN IN THE POLITICAL EQUATION OF OJI RIVER AND ENUGU STATE

Governor Peter Mbah has also repeatedly stressed the importance of government being accessible and accountable to citizens.

The Governor's administration has described development as something that must reach "real people in real communities," while its 2026 budget presentation also emphasised inclusive and people-centred development.

It is against this background that Adu residents are asking whether the principle of inclusion can also be reflected in political representation. If development is ultimately about communities, then communities should also be able to see themselves reflected in the structures through which development decisions are made. The people of Adu therefore believe that the absence of even one representative from their community in the latest four-member arrangement deserves reconsideration.

Achi is made up of several communities, each with its own history, population, political interests and contributions to the development of Oji River. The argument being made by Adu is not that other Achi communities should lose their opportunities, rather, the community wants an arrangement in which every constituent community has confidence that it has a place at the table. Political appointments should not become a competition in which the recognition of one community necessarily means the exclusion of another. A balanced approach can accommodate the legitimate interests of different communities while strengthening unity within Achi. This is particularly important at a time when the political landscape of Enugu State is changing. The emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the political platform of Governor Mbah has altered the state's political equation, while many communities and political actors have also repositioned themselves. For Adu, its members say they have also identified with the current political direction and deserve to be remembered when opportunities are being distributed. Governor Peter Mbah has spoken repeatedly about a new approach to governance in Enugu State. His administration's stated emphasis on development, institutional reform and grassroots impact presents an opportunity to address concerns of communities that feel politically underrepresented. The issue raised by Adu therefore goes beyond one appointment. It is about recognition and belonging. It is about whether a small community can look at the government of the day and say,we are also part of this government. Governor Mbah may not be personally aware of every historical grievance or every community-level political expectation across the 17 local government areas of the state. That is precisely why appeals from communities such as Adu deserve to be heard and considered on their merits. The people of Adu Achi are not asking for special treatment, rather they are asking to be remembered. They are asking that, as further appointments are made into boards, agencies, commissions, development structures and other government positions, Adu community should be given due consideration. They ask that the principle of fairness should extend beyond the larger political blocs to the smaller communities that often lack the numbers or political machinery to make their voices heard. Adu should not have to wait another decade before its people are considered for meaningful representation. There are competent sons and daughters of Adu who are capable of serving in government. Among them are professionals, academics, administrators, retired security personnel, entrepreneurs, media practitioners and other accomplished citizens who can contribute to the development agenda of Enugu State. Giving Adu an opportunity does not diminish another community, instead, it sends a powerful message that every community matters and has a place in the governance of Enugu State. The real value of political appointments is not merely the individual benefit enjoyed by an appointee. A good appointment can build confidence between government and community. When a community sees one of its own participating in government, it feels connected to the administration. It becomes easier for the people to believe that government listens to them and understands their concerns. This is particularly important in grassroots governance. Enugu State's own position is that the local government is the tier of government closest to the people and that elected and appointed officials should remain accessible and accountable to the communities they serve.

Adu Community deserves to experience that sense of connection. The people of Adu are therefore making a modest appeal to the Governor to remember Adu when the next appointments are being considered, remember Adu when board memberships are being shared, remember Adu when government agencies, commissions and development structures require competent representatives, remember Adu when political consultations take place in Oji River. Most importantly, remember that the strength of Enugu State lies not only in its major towns and political centres, but also in its villages and communities. Adu Achi does not want to be permanently defined by what it has not received rather it wants to be remembered for what it can contribute. The appeal from Adu is ultimately an appeal for inclusion, not exclusion. It is an appeal for fairness, not favouritism. It is an appeal for recognition, not privilege. As Governor Mbah continues to shape his administration's development agenda, Adu Community respectfully asks that its concerns be placed before the appropriate authorities and that the community be given meaningful consideration in future appointments. After years of waiting, Adu is saying, we are here, we have contributed, we belong, and we are ready to serve. The people are simply asking the government to remember them when the next opportunity comes.