By Ifeanyi Aguikwu
In the politics of Abia State, very few names echo as loudly in grassroots hearts as Onyedi Okwulehie. Though he won the 2023 Abia State House of Assembly election for Umuahia North State Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Supreme Court handed the mandate to another. But what makes Onyedi stand out is not the mandate he lost, it is the mandate he chose to fulfill anyway.
Lighting the Path Where Government Forgot
In a time when most politicians go silent after electoral defeat, Onyedi swung into action. He provided and installed five powerful solar street lights each in Afor Ukwu Autonomous Community and Ofeme Autonomous Community, following the requests of the traditional rulers. These installations enhanced security, boosted local business activities, and brought life back to public spaces.
Empowerment Without Borders
With the support of Ambassador Chinwendu Okezie, Onyedi attracted impactful empowerment items from the Anambra and Kano River Basin Development Authorities. Beneficiaries across Ohuhu land received:
- Mini-buses & tricycles (Keke Napep)
- One motorcycle
- 18 grinding machines for local processing
- 14 wheelbarrows
- Dozens of shovels, hoes, and tools for smallholder farmers
These were not mere donations, they were tools for economic freedom.
Feeding the Spirit of His People
In December 2024, Onyedi stunned even his critics by distributing bags of rice and food items to a large number of constituents, not in token quantities but in volumes that got everyone asking: “What kind of politician is this?”
He reminded his people that leadership is not a title; it is service.
Even in Defeat, Still Grateful
Despite the Supreme Court judgment, Onyedi did not retreat into silence or bitterness. Instead, he summoned leaders and members from all the wards of Umuahia North State Constituency to appreciate them for their unwavering support. Each ward received one hundred thousand naira as a token of his gratitude, underscoring his belief that loyalty and love must be honored, even in loss.
Building Community Through Sports and Legacy
Beyond infrastructure and empowerment, Onyedi invested in unity. In 2022, he organized the Mayor’s Cup, a football tournament named in honor of his late father, Chief Sam Okwulehie. The competition, also known as the Ohuhu Best Football Competition, featured teams from the five political wards of Umuahia North State Constituency.
Held at the William’s Memory College field, Afugiri, a school inspired by the legacy of Crusaders Secondary School Isingwu founded by Sam Okwulehie in 1958 and certified in 1961, the competition wasn’t just a tournament; it was history revived.
Afugiri Ward emerged champions, winning a ₦500,000 prize; Isingwu Ward came second and received ₦300,000. But the real winner was community spirit. The next edition of the Mayor’s Cup is scheduled to kick off in September 2025, promising to deepen unity, talent discovery, and youth engagement.
A Mandate Bigger Than Politics
Onyedi Okwulehie is more than a politician, he is a movement. A man denied a legislative seat, yet fulfilling legislative-level promises. A leader who uplifts not with rhetoric, but with action. In a political climate where many vanish after elections, he has become more visible, more impactful, and more relevant.
He is redefining what it means to serve; and proving that even outside the Assembly, one can still legislate through love, legacy, and light.
– tpmifeanyi –
